The more I read "Letters from the Family of Zeng Guofan", the more I want to call Zeng Guofan Mr. or Master.
Reading the family letters he wrote to his ancestors and fathers, it seems like he is speaking to the elders; reading the family letters he wrote to his younger brothers, it feels like he is one of his younger brothers and is receiving education along with them. ; Reading the letter he wrote to his nephew, I also wanted to pick up the pen and write a letter to my son.
Just reading "Letters from Zeng Guofan", I appreciate the rich wisdom of life in it.
This is a family letter written by Zeng Guofan to his younger brother Zeng Guohuang in the eleventh year of Xianfeng. In this year, 1861, many things happened in China. Emperor Xianfeng died, and there would be no more Xianfeng twelve years.
It was also the time when Zeng Guofan was busiest with military affairs, but his habit of reading and writing letters never changed.
In this family letter, when he was persuading his younger brother, he talked most about the issues of "modesty" and "arrogance and laziness".
He first criticized Zeng Guohuang tactfully but directly, saying, "My experience in world affairs is getting deeper and deeper, and there is inevitably a kind of arrogance in my letter." Here, it is definitely important, but the reminder is more important, He discerned the "arrogance" in Zeng Guohuang's letter.
After pointing out "arrogance", he went on to make an incisive statement, "Modestity and sincerity are the only way to bring blessings in heaven and earth. Arrogance leads to fullness, and fullness leads to overflowing." Once established and broken, He has a clear attitude. In his eyes, "modesty" is the "way to bring blessings", while "arrogance" is the opposite. It is the root cause of "fullness" and "inclination", that is, people are overly exaggerated and eventually lead to failure.
So, what is "arrogance"?
Zeng Guofan listed various manifestations, "Anyone who expresses disgust with other people's customs, dislikes other people's vulgarity, criticizes others' shortcomings, and criticizes others is arrogant. No matter what he refers to, it may not be effective. , Even if everything is right, it is not allowed by heaven."
In a word, "arrogance" is really a very serious thing in life.
Next, Zeng Guofan talked about some of the performances of his family. He said, "My children are full of pride, talk about others' shortcomings, and laugh at others. This is not a good look."
People who cultivated great virtues in ancient times were probably like this. In managing the family, Zeng Guofan pointed out the bad habits of his children. Since it is a bad habit, it must be corrected.
How to correct it, the elders must set an example. Especially since Zeng Guofan was not at home, the burden fell on his second brother Zeng Guohuang. Zeng Guofan said, "If a good brother wants to stop his nephew from being arrogant, he must first change his habit of being quick to criticize others and prone to overthrow others, and then he must teach his descendants to change everything."
These words In it, people can also see that his brother's "arrogance" that he pointed out at the beginning mainly lies in his "love to criticize others and his tendency to overturn others."
This is the key to how to change, that is, the role of the elders in setting an example. What to do next?
Zeng Guofan continued, "If you want to get rid of the word arrogance, always take the first meaning of not scorning or laughing; if you want to get rid of the word laziness, always take the first meaning of not being lazy."
After that, he returned to his younger brother and said, "If I can abide by the eight characters of Mr. Xinggang (kao, treasure, morning, sweep, book, vegetable, fish, pig)" If you are lazy, the children in your family will become more and more respectful without realizing it."
The "Xinggang Gong" in the article is Zeng Guofan's grandfather. Zeng Guofan said that if they remember their grandfather's eight-character teachings and some of their own practices, the younger generations will unconsciously improve their life cultivation.
In this letter to his family, Zeng Guofan pointed out problems, clarified his views, listed performances, taught methods, and explained the "humility and prudence" way to bring blessings. The truth behind this is also of great significance to me. Inspire.
It is absolutely right to adhere to "modestness" and avoid "arrogance and laziness" in life and work. I like this way to bring blessings.