KEEP THE OLD WARM

The Master said: ‘Can one avoid concurring with exemplary sayings? But to make them the basis of self-improvement is considered the most valuable thing. Can one avoid being pleased with blandishments? But to unravel the motivation is considered the most valuable thing. If someone is pleased but does not unravel the motivation, concurs but does not improve himself, I can do nothing for him at all.’ – 孔夫子 Master Kong (Confucius) The Analects 9:24

Exemplary sayings are all around us; social media, online blogs and articles, affirmations we hear from friends, family, in the workplace. Blandishments – coaxing and cajoling statements – are also abundant in our era of vanity.

Yet these words typically are taken as the good things in themselves. We concur with exemplary sayings. We are pleased with blandishments. We enjoy hearing and seeing these excellent words being spoken and written….and we go on our way.

Yet, what is knowledge without action? What are words without deeds?

To make exemplary sayings, wherever they come from, the basis of your self-improvement is considered the most valuable thing. If you concur with a great statement of wisdom and insight, and then use that as a foundation from which to take action and live those words, that is the most valuable thing.

To be pleased with blandishments and unravel the motivation within them in order to act is considered the most valuable thing. To not only be pleased with what you hear or read, but to find the true value within the words to motivate yourself to act and improve, that is the most valuable thing.

Be wary of enjoying fine words and flattering phrases. If you hear or read them and do not use them to alter your actions for the better, all is wasted.

We are on this earth to take action. Not to listen and read. Those are only the means to set your aim, set the path, set the goal. Then it is up to you and you alone to fire, to walk, to achieve.

Find the motivation within great words. Then live as though the day were here.