Chang Tse- Fang noticed a strange looking old man by the river and went to have a closer look at him. Without a word, the man kicked his sandals into the river and Chang went to retrieve it for him. The old man did this another two times and Chang retrieved for him in as many times. Then the old man said, “Good. You will do. Meet me here in five days’ time in the morning”
When Chang went to meet the old man by the same river, he was reprimanded by the strange fellow for letting an old man wait, so he told Chang to come again the next morning. Although Chang was very early, the old man was there waiting again! He was again told to meet him the next morning. This time Chang slept by the river to make sure he was there to meet the old man and not make him wait. Chang was successful this time as he saw the old man approach him.
“Now you should have the reward due to you!” said the old man and gave him a manuscript. Chang studied the manuscript and later in life he became the Marquis of Lin in the Tsin Dynasty of 247-244 BC.
I now give you some wisdom from the manuscript which was very heavy on the conduct of a proper politician of which I have omitted. This summary represent only about 30% of the whole document.The old man was the Taoist Sage Huang Shin Kung or Yellow Stone.
1. Tao, Virtue, Benevolence, Rectitude and Decorum, these 5 things are all One Principle, is the way that all men should walk
2. Restrain the passions
3. Renounce evil
4. Avoid over indulgence
5. Study extensively
6. Plan for the future
7. Abhor the wicket
8. Cultivate Virtue
9. Have goodness
10. Be sincere in word and deed
11. Nothing is more bitter than covetousness and unfairness
12. You are ignorant if you proclaim you are cleverest
13. Those who are unconscious of their own faults are blind
14. Those who provoke animosity will incur disaster
15. He who brings shame on others will meet with retribution
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