|
Zuo Zongtang, a famous Chinese general in the Qing Dynasty about 130 years ago, was a success in the army, but he was not humble, especially when he played chess. His chess level was high. In the army, he was almost always the champion.<br/>One late afternoon, on the eve of going to a war, General Zuo Zongtang took a walk with a few bodyguards. He happened to discover a small wooden sign hung on the door of a store, which said, “Number One Chess Player.”<br/>“Who dares to declare himself the number one chess player in the world?” Zuo wondered. He ordered one of his bodyguards to go inside telling the man General Zuo wanted to challenge him a game. Soon, an old man came out respectfully asking Zuo to go inside to play chess.<br/>They played three games. Just like in the army, Zuo won every game. Then, he walked back to his military camp with high self-confidence as usual. The next morning, he took his army to the battle and once again, he won the war.<br/>Upon the happy return from the battle field, Zuo revisited the old man. The two men played chess again. To his great surprise. Zuo lost the game one after another. In the whole afternoon, he never won a game.<br/>Then, General Zuo repeatedly asked the old man the reason. The old man smiled and told him: “The first time when we played chess, I realized that you would lead the troops to the battlefield the next day. I was afraid that if you lost the game, it might affect your self-confidence, which is very important in the war. Therefore, I purposely let you win every game. Now, you have won the battle and returned, so we can fairly play the game.”<br/>At this, General Zuo immediately stood up. He respectfully bowed to the old man in appreciation of his teaching. For the rest of his life, he was no longer haughty to others, and became a person who knew how to be humble.<br/> |
|
/1 
