Lao Tzu on sincere words and fine-sounding ones. From Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, about the 4th century BC.
In China’s 4th century BC, rival rulers hired traveling persuaders. These men went from court to court, selling clever plans in fine speeches.
One of the best, Zhang Yi, was once beaten on a false charge of stealing a jade. His wife blamed his life of talk. He asked her to look in his mouth. Was his tongue still there? It was. Then, he said, he had enough.
Chapter 81 of the Tao Te Ching says sincere words are not fine, and fine words are not sincere. In 313 BC, the persuader Zhang Yi offered the king of Chu 600 li of land to break with his ally. Only Chen Zhen warned it was a trap. The land shrank to six li, and Chu lost the war that followed.
The words that please you most deserve the hardest look. Practical advice: before you say yes to a big promise, ask what could go wrong.
Likely, on the evidence · checked against 7 sourcesBefore you agree to a big promise this week, ask what could go wrong.
“Someone is offering me a deal that sounds perfect. How can I tell if it’s real?”
Trust the Plain Words and the other 11 ideas of Tao Te Ching, a minute at a time.
Download on theApp StoreEvery idea is drawn from the public-domain text, and its names, dates and quotes are checked against the sources listed with it. The paintings are made for Counsel; they show the scene, not a historical record.
