Mencius said,Before getting promotion, Shun was a farmer; Fu
Yue, a wall builder; Jiao Ge, a pedlar of fish and salt; Guan Yiwu, a prisoner;
Sun Shuao, a sea hermit; Baili Xi, a slave on sale. So if a man had been
predestined to shoulder responsibilities of vital importance, he would have
been made to suffer spiritually and physically, go hungry, live in poverty and
face adversity. These experiences would turn him into a vigilant, strong and
capable man.
After
frequently making mistakes, one would correct them. Only in perplexity and
confusion can a man exert himself. Only through his facial expression and voice
can a man make himself understood. A nation would perish if there were neither
domestic abidance and remonstrance nor foreign threat. Therefore, we can conclude that one would
survive hardship and misery and die of peace and happiness.
