The story of ancient people’s integrity

1. Zengzi killed pigs

Zengzi was a student of Confucius. One time, Zeng Zi's wife was going to the market. Because the child was crying, Zeng Zi's wife promised to kill a pig for him to eat when she came back. After Zeng Zi's wife came back from market, Zeng Zi wanted to catch pigs and kill them. His wife stopped him and said, "I was just playing with the children." Zeng Zi said, "You can't play with children."

< p>Children are ignorant and follow their parents’ instructions in everything. Now if you coax them, you are teaching them to lie.” So Zengzi killed the pig. Zeng Zi’s wife deeply understood that honesty and trustworthiness, and keeping one’s word are the basic principles of life. If one makes a mistake and does not kill the pig, then the pig in the family will be saved, but it will leave an indelible shadow on the heart of a pure child.

2. Cui Shu returned the pearl

A man named Cui Shu went to Bianliang to take the imperial examination and lived with a businessman from the south for half a year. The two became good friends. friend. Later, the businessman became seriously ill. He said to Cui Shu: "Thank you for taking care of me and not treating me as an outsider. It seems that my illness cannot be cured. Our family will bury me in the grave. If I die, you can always protect me." Ruyi, will you take care of me?" Cui Shu agreed to his request.

The merchant then said: "I have a pearl, which is worth thousands of dollars. If you get it, you can go through fire and water. It is indeed a very precious pearl. I am willing to give it to you." Cuisu accepted. He said: "Once I am admitted as a Jinshi, the government will provide all my needs. How can I hide the rare treasures privately?" After the merchant died, Cui Shu put the treasures into the coffin and buried him in the tomb when he was buried. .

A year later, Cui Shu went to Bozhou to make a living. He heard that the wives of southern merchants came all the way from the south to find their late husbands and trace the whereabouts of the orbs. The merchant's wife reported Cui Shu to the government, saying that Cui Xiucai must have obtained the pearl. The government sent people to arrest Cui Shu. Cui Shu said: "If the tomb has not been stolen, the orb must still be in the coffin."

So the government sent people to dig up the tomb and open the coffin, and sure enough, the orb was still in the coffin. Wang Yan, the commander-in-chief of Pei, believed that Cui Shu's valuable qualities were indeed extraordinary and wanted to keep him as an aide, but he refused. The next year, Cui Shu passed the Jinshi examination and later served as the examiner, enjoying a reputation for integrity.

3. Did Han Xin repay his favor?

Han Xin, the founding hero of the Han Dynasty, was very poor when he was a child and often had no food and clothing. He lived with his brother and sister-in-law and relied on leftovers. Living off leftovers. Little Han Xin helped his brother work during the day and studied hard at night. His mean sister-in-law still hated him studying, thinking that reading was a waste of lamp oil and was useless.

So Han Xin had no choice but to live on the streets, living a life without enough clothes and food. There was an old woman who worked as a servant for others who sympathized with him, supported his studies, and gave him food every day. Facing the old woman's sincerity, Han Xin was very grateful. He said to the old man: "I will repay you when I grow up." The old woman smiled and said: "I will be buried when you grow up."

Later, Han Xin became a famous general and was named King of Chu by Liu Bang. He still remembered the old man who had helped him. So he found the old man, took the old man into his palace, and treated her like his own mother.

4. The Integrity Story of Wei Wenhou

During the Warring States Period, the first king of Wei State was named Wei Wenhou. Because he treated others with integrity, both officials and ordinary people respected him. Therefore, the state of Wei quickly became stronger. Once, he made an appointment with the person who managed the forest to go hunting and training in the forest the next afternoon.

On the next day, a banquet was held after the court. Wei Wenhou planned to go hunting and train his troops as soon as the banquet was over. However, after the banquet, it suddenly started pouring rain. The rain did not stop but became heavier and heavier. At that time, Wei Wenhou stood up and said to the ministers: "I'm sorry, I have to say goodbye. Quickly prepare the carriage and horses. I want to go hunting and training troops outside the effect. There are already people waiting for me there!"

All the ministers are waiting for me! When they saw the monarch going out in the rain, they all stepped forward to dissuade him. One said: "How can we go out when it rains so heavily?" The other said: "We can't hunt and train soldiers even if we go there." Wei Wenhou looked at the sky and said: "Hunting and training soldiers are impossible, but we have to tell the person who manages the mountains and forests. People." One of the ministers volunteered and said, "Okay, I'll go right away." Marquis Wei Wen waved his hand and said, "Hold on, I have to tell you." The man blinked as if he didn't understand. Wei Wenhou said: "Yesterday I made an agreement with them personally. Now that I have broken the agreement, I have to apologize to them in person." After that, he strode out the door and went to the management in the heavy rain. Went to Lin Ren’s residence.

All the ministers said behind their backs that Wei Wenhou was too stupid. He could just ask any of his followers to go. Why go there himself? I think Wei Wenhou was not stupid at all. It was precisely because he treated people with integrity that he won the victory. Only through the trust of his subjects can a country become strong and prosperous. An ancient king was so honest and trustworthy in everything he did, but in our society today there are some people who act irresponsibly and violate professional ethics.

5. Song Lian’s story

Song Lian liked reading when he was a child, but his family was very poor. He also had no money to buy books, so he had to borrow them from others. Every time he borrowed a book, he agreed on the deadline, returned the book on time, and never broke the contract. People were happy to lend him the book.

Once, he borrowed a book. The more he read, the more he couldn't put it down, so he decided to copy it down. But the deadline for returning the books is coming soon. He had to copy books all night. It was the twelfth lunar month in the middle of winter, and dripping water turned into ice.

His mother said: "My child, it's already midnight and it's so cold. Let's copy it in the morning. I'm not waiting for this book to be read." Song Lian said: "No matter if I'm waiting for this book to be read, it won't be until dawn." It’s a matter of credit and respect for others.

If you don’t keep your word and act with integrity, how can you get the respect of others?” Once again, Song Lian wanted to go far away. A famous person asked for advice and made an appointment to meet. Unexpectedly, it started to snow on the day of departure.

When Song Lian picked up his luggage and was about to go on the road, his mother said in surprise: "How can you go far away in such weather? Besides, the teacher's place has already been covered with heavy snow. This old cotton-padded jacket of yours can also resist I can't stand the severe cold in the mountains!"

Song Lian said: "Mom, if you don't leave today, you will miss the date of your apprenticeship, and you will miss the date of your appointment. No matter how strong the wind and snow are, you will be disrespectful to the teacher. , I have to go on my way." When Song Lian arrived at the teacher's house, the teacher praised him with emotion: "Young man, if you are trustworthy and studious, you will have a bright future."