Imagine three people walking along a dusty road in fifth-century BC China. One walks with good posture, taking calm, respectful steps. The second keeps stumbling, complaining loudly, and pushing past others in frustration. The third person, quietly watching both companions, is the philosopher Confucius . Instead of seeing the second man as simply annoying or praising the first as naturally better, Confucius treats both as valuable teachers. He chooses to copy the dignity of the first man and uses the rude behaviour of the second as a chance to examine his own hidden weaknesses.
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