Heirs to Greatness
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Xiao He was prime minister under Liu Bang, founder of the Han dynasty. He implemented a series of highly effective policies that laid the foundation of the Han which was to become a great dynasty lasting more than four hundred years.
After his death, his successor Cao Shen faithfully followed in his footsteps, but did not do much else. Emperor Hui, who succeeded Liu Bang, was not impressed. He upbraided Cao Shen for not working hard enough.
“Who is smarter, Your Majesty or Gaozu?” Cao Shen asked. Gaozu was the posthumous title for Liu Bang, meaning the great ancestor.
“How can I be compared with Gaozu?”
“Who is more capable, I or Xiao He?”
“I don’t think you are as good as Xiao He.”
“Exactly. Since Gaozu and Xiao He have laid down very successful policies, the best we can do is to adhere to them and make sure we don’t make mistakes, isn’t it?”
Emperor Hui agreed.
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Affirmative Words
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Delegating
Wise Proverbs
- That was then, this is now; how can things be perceived in the same way?
- 彼一时也，此一时也，岂可同哉？
- Learn extensively and perseveringly, inquire sincerely and approach things practically.
- 博学而笃志，切问而近思。
- To learn without thinking is futile; to think without learning is dangerous.
- 学而不思则罔，思而不学则殆。
Editor Says:
While heirs to greatness may not be able to build greatness on top of greatness, they can do well if they follow the success recipe of their predecessors.