Bad News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 1
- 2
- 1
- 2
- 1
- 2
- 1
- 2
Li Hang was prime minister under Emperor Zhenzong in the Song dynasty. Whenever he was given an audience, he always brought up bad news such as the crime rate in the country, the decline of social morals, natural disasters and so on. The emperor was so displeased that his face would change color.
“Why do you always talk about bad things?” Li Hang’s colleagues demanded. “We are living in a time of peace. Aren’t we lucky enough to hold office? The issues you raised are being handled by various officials. Is it necessary to tell the emperor about them and make him unhappy? If you insist on reporting them, it is better to report after they have been dealt with.”
“I disagree,” Li Hang said. “I want to make sure that the emperor has things to worry about. If he is free from all anxieties, he may indulge himself and lose self-discipline.”
Next Story
The General's Concern
Last Story
Affirmative Action
Wise Proverbs
- Life springs from sorrow and calamity, death comes from ease and pleasure.
- 生于忧患，死于安乐。
- In times of peace, do not forget dangers; though surviving, do not forget downfall; during times of stability, do not forget turmoil.
- 安而不忘危。存而不忘亡，治而不忘乱。
- Be the first under heaven to worry about state affairs, and the last to enjoy oneself.
- 先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐。
Editor Says:
A sense of anxiety is necessary to keep a man from being complacent.