71. Rare Things -- A son-in-law who's praised by his…
““71. Rare Things -- A son-in-law who's praised by his wife's father. Likewise, a wife who's loved by her mother-in-law. A pair of silver tweezers that can actually pull out hairs properly. A retainer who doesn't speak ill of his master. A person who is without a single quirk. Someone who's superior in both appearance and character, and who's remained utterly blameless throughout his long dealings with the world. You never find an instance of two people living together who continue to be overawed by each other's excellence and always treat each other with scrupulous care and respect, so such a relationship is obviously a great rarity. Copying out a tale or a volume of poems without smearing any ink on the book you're copying from. If you're copying it from some beautiful bound book, you try to take immense care, but somehow you always manage to get ink on it. Two women, let alone a man and a woman, who vow themselves to each other forever, and actually manage to remain on good terms to the end.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Describes rare, harmonious relationships and perfect conduct that are almost impossible to find.
In simple terms: Rare perfect relationships are extremely uncommon.
Key Takeaway
Cherish and strive for mutual respect.
Themes
relationships
respect
rarity
excellence
Mood
reflective
appreciative
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- marriage
- friendship
- collaboration
- teamwork
Key Concepts
Confucian harmony
ideal conduct
mutual admiration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster deeper respect in our relationships?
- What small actions build lasting harmony?
A Different Perspective
Ideal behavior may be unrealistic in everyday life.