This is a story claimed to be about Confucius who was a thinker and educator, and whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced the Asian way of life. The Chinese wisdom points to the fact that wisdom doesn’t mean that we have to be correct all the time. People bet to win what they think is objectively, logically or factually truth, but instead lose something more precious. Victory is not about a medal, but first is the triumph of one self and what more important is victory in heart.
Yan Hui was the beloved disciple of Confucius who liked to learn, was of good nature. One day when Yan Hui was on duty, he saw many people at a fabric store. He approached and found a buyer and the seller of the store were arguing.
The buyer shouted: "3 × 8 = 23, why did you say it was 24?”
Yan Hui approached the buyer of cloth and said: "My friend, 3 × 8 = 24, do not argue anymore."
The fabric buyer was not happy and said to Yan Hui: "Who is seeking your opinion? If I need an opinion I will ask Confucius. We will know it's true or false if we ask Confucius."
Yan Hui: "Well, if Confucius says you're wrong, and then what?"
The buyer: "If Confucius says I'm wrong, I will cut off my head for you. But what if you are wrong? "
Yan Hui: "If I am wrong, I will give my title to you."
Both agreed to bet, then went in search of Confucius. After Confucius knew what the problem was, he said to Yan Hui with a laugh: "It is correct that 3 × 8 = 23. Yan Hui, you lose. Give your title to him." Yan Hui would not argue with the teacher. When he heard Confucius said he was wrong, he removed his hat and gave it to the buyer.
The man took the hat and went away with a big smile on his face. Although Yan Hui accepted Confucius’ assessment, his heart did not agree with it. He felt Confucius was already old and senile, so he decided that no longer wanted to learn from him. Yan Hui asked for leave of absence so that he could look after the family affairs. Confucius knew what was in Yan Hui's mind and gave him permission to leave. Before leaving, Confucius gave Yan Hui this advice."When there's rain, do not take shelter under a tree."
Yan Hui thanked his teacher and set off for home.
On the way home, suddenly strong winds accompanied by lightning came. It meant rain would be coming soon. Yan Hui wanted to take shelter under a nearby big tree but suddenly he remembered the advice of Confucius. He thought he must obey the teacher's words once again and he quickly walked away from the tree. Not long after he left the tree, lightning struck and destroyed it. Yan Hui was surprised, and he rushed back to meet his master.
Yan Hui went to see Confucius the next day and said: "Master, how do you know what will happen?"
Confucius said: "It was very hot yesterday and I anticipated there would be heavy rain and lightning, so I reminded you not to take shelter under a tree.”
Yan Hui said: "Master, you have a keen insight, your student is very impressed."
Confucius said: "I know when you asked for a leave of absence, it was not due to family affairs. You actually did not want to learn from me anymore. Because when I said 3 × 8 = 23 was true, you lost your title. But, just think about it, if I say 3 × 8 = 24 is correct, the buyer would lose and that means he's going to lose his life. You think your title is more important or losing a life is more important? "
Yan Hui knew his mistake and said: "Teachers are more concerned with the more important thing, while I was unhappy, thinking that you were old and senile. I am really embarrassed. "
The buyer shouted: "3 × 8 = 23, why did you say it was 24?”
Yan Hui approached the buyer of cloth and said: "My friend, 3 × 8 = 24, do not argue anymore."
The fabric buyer was not happy and said to Yan Hui: "Who is seeking your opinion? If I need an opinion I will ask Confucius. We will know it's true or false if we ask Confucius."
Yan Hui: "Well, if Confucius says you're wrong, and then what?"
The buyer: "If Confucius says I'm wrong, I will cut off my head for you. But what if you are wrong? "
Yan Hui: "If I am wrong, I will give my title to you."
Both agreed to bet, then went in search of Confucius. After Confucius knew what the problem was, he said to Yan Hui with a laugh: "It is correct that 3 × 8 = 23. Yan Hui, you lose. Give your title to him." Yan Hui would not argue with the teacher. When he heard Confucius said he was wrong, he removed his hat and gave it to the buyer.
The man took the hat and went away with a big smile on his face. Although Yan Hui accepted Confucius’ assessment, his heart did not agree with it. He felt Confucius was already old and senile, so he decided that no longer wanted to learn from him. Yan Hui asked for leave of absence so that he could look after the family affairs. Confucius knew what was in Yan Hui's mind and gave him permission to leave. Before leaving, Confucius gave Yan Hui this advice."When there's rain, do not take shelter under a tree."
Yan Hui thanked his teacher and set off for home.
On the way home, suddenly strong winds accompanied by lightning came. It meant rain would be coming soon. Yan Hui wanted to take shelter under a nearby big tree but suddenly he remembered the advice of Confucius. He thought he must obey the teacher's words once again and he quickly walked away from the tree. Not long after he left the tree, lightning struck and destroyed it. Yan Hui was surprised, and he rushed back to meet his master.
Yan Hui went to see Confucius the next day and said: "Master, how do you know what will happen?"
Confucius said: "It was very hot yesterday and I anticipated there would be heavy rain and lightning, so I reminded you not to take shelter under a tree.”
Yan Hui said: "Master, you have a keen insight, your student is very impressed."
Confucius said: "I know when you asked for a leave of absence, it was not due to family affairs. You actually did not want to learn from me anymore. Because when I said 3 × 8 = 23 was true, you lost your title. But, just think about it, if I say 3 × 8 = 24 is correct, the buyer would lose and that means he's going to lose his life. You think your title is more important or losing a life is more important? "
Yan Hui knew his mistake and said: "Teachers are more concerned with the more important thing, while I was unhappy, thinking that you were old and senile. I am really embarrassed. "
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