Oniyazi, a famous thinker of the Warring States, a representative figure of Taoism, a master of the art of war, and the originator of the Zongheng family, is proficient in a hundred schools of learning, and because he lives in the Ghost Valley of Qingxi, he calls himself Mr. Ghost Valley.
Ghost Guzi often went to the mountains to collect medicine and cultivate the road, and learned immortals in the southeast of Song Mountain. For more than 2,000 years, the art of war has revered him as a saint, the Zongheng family has revered him as the ancestor, the fortune teller has honored him as the ancestor, and the Taoist has listed him with Laozi as "Wang Chan's ancestor". Several of his disciples: Pang Juan, Sun Bin, Su Qin, and Zhang Yi were all famous generals who influenced the course of history.
The book "Ghost Guzi", as a summary of the lobbying experience of the Zongheng family, it integrates the essence of Oniyako's lifelong academic research, and is known as the book of the world. To this day, an in-depth analysis of the wisdom and strategy of "Ghost Guzi" can still make people absorb the essence of life.
1. Follow the trend
Don't do it. Those who do the opposite will succeed and fail.
Translation: Acting against the "righteousness of heaven", even if successful, will inevitably fail in the end.
Enlightenment: Oniyako refers to "spring birth, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage" as "Heaven's Truth". He believes that the opposite will lead to success and failure, and prosperity and decline. Everything in the world is endless, but they all follow the law of development, and there is a process from growth, development, expansion to prosperity and decline. If you violate its natural laws, even if you succeed occasionally, you will not escape the fate of failure. King Wu conformed to the will of the people, carried forward morality, and achieved great deeds. So, be good at following the trend, success will be closer to you.
2. Keep the original intention, always have it
At the beginning of cultivating one's will, it is necessary to be safe for oneself: one's own security is to be strong, and if one's will is strong, it is powerful. The gods are always steadfast and can divide them.
Translation: At the beginning of cultivating the mind, we must first stabilize ourselves. Only when oneself is stable, can the will be firm, and the prestige can be firmly held. Only by holding on to Shenwei can we mobilize everything.
Enlightenment: If you can't work hard towards your ambition, what's the use of being ambitious? At the age of twenty-eight, Zeng Guofan was awarded the title of Hanlin Yuanshuji Shi. When many people arrive at the Hanlin Academy, they only need to drill the door and wait for the official. But Zeng Guofan was determined to say: "Abandoning the sky and leaving it is a disaster." The past cannot be chased, please start now. He bowed and spoke with it. A breath is still alive, forever Yafu. "Whether he was in the barracks or an official, he did not dare to slack off from morning to night, even if the wind and rain were severe and his body was sick, he still smelled the chicken and got up, and slept in the middle of the night, for decades. Therefore, keep the original intention, always have to be.
3. The mind is calm and far-reaching, and the contribution is indispensable
If the heart is quiet, the gods are glorious; If you think far-reaching, you will succeed. If the gods are prosperous, they will not be disturbed; If the plan is successful, the merit is indispensable.
Translation: When the heart is quiet, the spirit will be refreshed; When you think deeply, you can plan things thoroughly. When the spirit is refreshed, the ambition cannot be disturbed; With careful planning, there is no obstacle to career success.
Enlightenment: Zhuge Liang once said: "If you are not indifferent, you will not be clear, and if you are not quiet, you will not be far-reaching." When seeking things, keep a quiet and peaceful mentality, do nothing to achieve, and reach the realm of knowing things with the mind, otherwise the reason will not be clear, and it will be superficial. In the world, people are inevitably busy all day long. After all the things that went through the world, our hearts, which were once as clear as water, have long been clouded. Only by abandoning desires and keeping a clear heart can we clear our minds, and it is needless to say how smart such a person will be.
4. Know people and make the best use of their talents
To stand up and make a decision, we must first observe the same and different, do not speak right and wrong, see the words of the inside and outside, know the number of things that are there or not, determine the plan of safety and danger, determine the matter of relatives and alienation, and then it is the power of the measure, which is implied, it can be collected, it can be asked, and it can be used.
When there is a recruitment of talents, it is necessary to first examine their similarities and differences, distinguish their words and deeds, understand their talents, and then decide on their estranged relationship with these people, and then decide how to use them.
Enlightenment: We know that a large pot that can stew a cow can definitely stew a chicken, but how much firewood does this waste? For example, letting Su Dongpo wash clothes is definitely not as clean as the washerwoman. Let Yao Ming play table tennis, and he will definitely not become a superstar. Therefore, when recognizing and employing people, we must judge whether he is suitable for this position according to his ability and potential.
But letting Zhang Fei shake the feather fan and strategize and ask Zhuge Liang to go to the front with a spear in hand, such a mistake is repeated again and again in history. King Zhao Xiaocheng ignored the opposition of the people around him and assigned Zhao Kuo to command the Battle of Changping, resulting in 400,000 people being killed by Bai Qikeng and the rapid decline of Zhao's national strength. If Zhao Kuo is allowed to teach the art of war, with his eloquence and knowledge of the art of war, he is likely to become a famous teacher in the world. Everyone in the world laughs at Zhao Kuo on paper, but in fact, the single-minded Zhao Xiaocheng is the culprit. Being good at knowing people and people, making big use of big talents, and small talents are the basis for success.
5. Act in harmony and do more with less
Where the convergence is reversed, there is a suitability. Each has its own situation, repeatedly seeking each other, and taking matters into the system. It is a saint who dwells between heaven and earth, standing up, reigning in the world, teaching, raising his voice, and making a name for himself; It will be because of the meeting of things, because it is appropriate to observe the heavens, because it is necessary to know much and what is little, and by this prophet it will be transformed with it.
Translation: All actions related to alliance or confrontation must have a corresponding strategy. Change and transfer are like iron rings that are connected without interruption. However, changes and shifts have their own specific circumstances. Loops and depends on each other, and needs to be controlled according to the actual situation. Therefore, saints live in the world, and they all stand in the world to preach to the people, expand their influence, and promote their reputation. They must also examine the time of day according to the connections between things in order to seize the favorable moment. It is necessary to grasp from here what the country has and what is insufficient, and try to promote the transformation of things into favorable aspects.
Enlightenment: Everything is changing, interconnected, with its own current state and conditionally determined trends. We must specifically analyze the prerequisites for success and failure, make basic judgments, be prophetic and prescient, and promote the development of things in a favorable direction.
Oniyako once said, "The world is impermanent, and things are impermanent", and in the face of things that are constantly changing, he proposed to use the art of "harmony" to adapt.
"Convergence" means that union and opposition are transformed into each other, connected together like iron rings, without a single crack. The saint is to understand and master this law, to transform the situation into a union, to promote the transformation between the two. The premise of the "convergence" is to know oneself and the other and evaluate objective factors, so that it can be both forward and backward; It can be combined longitudinally or horizontally.
Oniyako's technique of "conjugation" is based on the Taoist principle of "Yin and Yang Reciprocity". Some things can be done successfully, and sometimes the opposite is possible, and it is likely to achieve twice the result with half the effort.
When Baili Xi was detained as a traitor by the State of Chu and taken into slavery, Qin Mu heard of his virtuous and wanted to ransom him from the State of Chu for a large amount of money. A minister advised Qin Mugong: "The reason why the State of Chu regards Baili Xi as a slave is precisely because he does not know his value, if he redeems Baili Xi with a lot of money, won't he tell the State of Chu that he is a sage?" "Later, Duke Mu of Qin sent people to redeem Bailixi with five black sheepskins.
6. See the small and see the big with the small
He desires to be calm in order to listen to his words, to observe his affairs, to discuss all things, and to distinguish between male and female. Although it is not a thing, see the micro-knowledge.
Translation: You must first be calm, so that you can listen to the other party's words, examine things, discuss all things, and distinguish between male and female. Although this is not the thing itself, it can be explored according to the subtle signs.
Enlightenment: Oniyako once said: "After the end of autumn, linger on the foundation of the Tai (Tai) Mountain." "Everything is as small as the end of autumn in the beginning, and as grand as Tarzan once it develops. It can be seen that grandeur comes from the subtlety, and the understanding of grandeur should start from the subtlety, and when things have developed to the grand stage, it is already a fait accompli and is known by everyone and cannot be changed.
Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate future trends from a small point of view, but there are very few people who can do this. No wonder Oniyako sighed with emotion: "The sage knows the dangers of things." ”
Seeing the subtle requires strong observation, observing oneself to know people, observing the present to know the past, and also requires broad thinking and association. Mortals saw apples ripe to the ground, but Newton discovered the law of gravity. As the so-called "a thousand miles of collapses in the anthill", if you cannot see the big from the small and prevent the small from evolving, it will often lead to disaster.
7. Speaking must vary from person to person
Therefore with the wise man, according to Bo; and Bo people's words, depending on the discernment; Speak with the discerner, depending on the need; Speak with the noble, depending on the situation; Speak with the rich, depending on the high; Speak with the poor, according to profit; Speak with the pariah, according to the humility; Speak with the brave, rely on the dare; With the fool's words, according to Rui; This is also the case, and people often do the opposite.
Translation: Therefore, to talk to the wise man, it is necessary to be based on the principle of knowledge; When talking to the humble, it is necessary to speak with strong argument; Talk to eloquent people on the principle of conciseness; Talk to noble people on the principle of momentum; Talk to the rich on the principle of elegance and dashing; Talk to the poor on the principle of profit; Talk to the lowly with humility; Talk to brave people with the principle of boldness; Talking to the self-motivated should be based on the principle of forging ahead, these are the principles of talking to people. However, many people often go the other way.
Enlightenment: Some people think that it's normal for us to speak every day. In fact, otherwise, a sentence can turn people into enemies and improve interpersonal relationships. Zigong said: A gentleman thinks he knows what he says, he thinks he doesn't know what he says, and he must not be careless when he says it. It means that the wisdom of the person can be seen through a sentence, so you must be cautious when speaking.
Oniyako believes that when communicating with people, it is necessary to treat different people differently, and treat different people with different words. Zhuge Liang's eloquence can be called unique, comparable to Su Qin and Zhang Yi, and no one can stand out in the same period. In his "Longzhong Pair" to Liu Bei, there was not a single empty phrase, and two words were tightly buttoned from beginning to end: hegemony. This is the application of "talking to the poor, relying on profit".
Liu Bei's army was defeated at Changsaka, and when Wu was waiting for Wu's rescue, Zhuge Liang's opening statement to Sun Quan was "There was great chaos in the sea, the general raised troops in Jiangdong, and Liu Yuzhou took Hannan and fought with Cao Cao for the world." He used the technique of "talking with the rich and relying on the high".
And Zhuge Liang's harsh words when he denounced Wang Lang and chased and beat fiercely were familiar with "talking with fools and relying on Rui".
In interpersonal communication, people have differences in cultural level, temper, personality, identity and other aspects, so in conversation, we should use "one key to open a lock" according to the characteristics of the other party, so as to enhance friendship with people faster.
8. Impartial, neutral and peaceful
It is said: "The transformation of heaven and earth is high and deep; The way of the saints is hidden and hidden. It is not only loyalty, faithfulness, benevolence, and righteousness, but also the righteousness. ”
Translation: As the old saying goes: "The creation of heaven and earth lies in the high and deep, and the way of the saints lies in concealment and concealment, not only on mercy, righteousness, loyalty, and faithfulness, as long as it is used for the right way." ”
Enlightenment: Oniyako is a great advocate of power and strategy, and unlike the Confucian advocated "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith", he believes that the code of conduct of saints is not only loyalty, faithfulness, benevolence, and righteousness, but also integrity. The so-called neutrality is a state of unbiased balance.
How to understand this state? Think of it from two perspectives. The first is the neutralization of the origin of the heart, Wang Yangming believes that there is no good and no disgusting body, so the neutralization without good and evil is Zhongzheng. The second is to act moderately, and moderation is the most beautiful state. Small wine is pleasant, but excessive drinking will not only hurt the body, but also gaffe. The so-called "nothing is beautiful or evil, but if it passes, it is a disaster" is this truth.
The most difficult thing for people to do is to stop moderation. The same goes for getting along with people. Being unforgiving may temporarily gain the joy of "victory", and at the same time lay the groundwork for future friends to alienate you.
All things in the world will have a degree. Moderation is beautiful, excessive is ugly; Moderation is a blessing, excessive is a curse. Zhongzheng is peaceful, and Fang is the way of saints.
9. Reward your letter and punish you
Use reward for your letter, use punishment for your righteousness. Reward your faith, and you will see what you see, and you will not know what you hear. Sincerity is in the gods of the world, and the traitor is the king.
Translation: When using rewards, the most important thing is to keep faith. When punishment is applied, justice is important. The reward must be believed, the punishment must be justified, and the subjects must be allowed to see and hear it for themselves, so that it also has a subtle effect on those who have not seen and heard with their own eyes. If the integrity of the monarch can reach the whole world, then why fear the interference of those traitors?
Enlightenment: When Wu Qi was serving as the Marquis of Wei Wu, he wanted to capture a small outpost of the Qin state near the Wei realm, so he needed to recruit people to join the army. So Wu Qi placed a log outside the north gate, and then ordered: "Whoever can move it outside the south gate will give it to whoever has a high-class field and a high-class residence." "But the people thought it was strange, and no one moved it.
Later, someone came to move, and Wu Qi immediately followed the order to reward. Soon Wu Qi put a stone of red beans outside the east gate and ordered: "Whoever can move it to the west gate, the reward will be as before." "People rushed to move it. Then Wu Qi ordered: "Tomorrow we will attack the outpost, and if anyone can go up first, appoint him as a national doctor, and reward him with a high-class field residence." "People scrambled to attack the outpost and took it in one morning.
Speaking of punishment, when Shang Martingale changed the law, the prince broke the law. Shang Martingale said: "The new law cannot be implemented smoothly, because people at the top take the lead in violating it. The crown prince was the heir of the monarch and could not be punished, so he punished his teacher Gongzi Qian, and tattooed another teacher, Gongsun Jia, in the face as a punishment. Later, when the people of the Qin Kingdom heard about this, they all began to comply with the decree.
Rewards and punishments, rewards and punishments, also need to be righteous. The award is a positive incentive, and if there is no reward for merit, no one thinks of enterprising. Punishment is counter-incentive, and if there is no punishment, the wicked will run rampant. Only when the speaker is rewarded and punished with faith and degree will a good atmosphere be formed.
10. Introspection and self-examination, knowing people must first know themselves
Knowing oneself begins with oneself and then knowing oneself and then knowing oneself. Its acquaintance is also, like the fish of flounder; Its words are also like the light and sound of sound; It is also like light and shadow; His words are also like magnets taking iron, and tongues taking burnt bones.
Translation: If you want to grasp the situation, you must start with yourself, and only when you understand yourself, can you understand others. The knowledge of others, like flounder, has no distance; Mastering the other person's words is as consistent as the voice is with the echo; Understand the situation of the other party, just like light and shadow; Detecting the other side's words is as foolproof as using a magnet to suck steel needles and tongues to obtain flesh on charred bones.
Enlightenment: Yun in "Sun Tzu Strategy": "Those who know themselves and know the other will not lose a hundred battles." "Knowing oneself is the first, knowing the other is the last, and self-knowledge can know others."
Lao Tzu said: "Those who know others are wise, and those who know themselves are wise." "It is wise to know the good and evil of others, but it takes great wisdom to understand yourself. How can I understand myself? This requires constant introspection and self-examination, as if a mirror has been installed in the heart, reflecting its own shortcomings and deficiencies.
But in reality, there are often many people who stare at the inadequacy of others, and fewer people dare to self-reflect; There are many arrogant and arrogant people, and few modest and cautious people. Only by knowing one's own shortcomings and making use of one's strengths and avoiding one's weaknesses can we reverse the decline and turn defeat into victory under unfavorable conditions. To understand others, read yourself first.