The Way of Harmony with Others

Big Boats Yield to Small Boats, Greater Individuals Yield to Lesser Ones

Xuefeng

June 5, 2023

On the ocean, when a big boat and a small boat meet, the big boat should take the initiative to yield to the small boat. If they collide, those on the small boat are at much greater risk of harm, while those on the big boat are relatively safer.

Cars should yield to motorcycles, motorcycles to bicycles, and bicycles to pedestrians; all vehicles should give way to pedestrians. The stronger and safer party should always yield to the weaker and more vulnerable—this is humanitarianism.

In the societal realm, the wealthy should yield to the poor, officials to the public, celebrities to the common folk, teachers to students, and doctors to patients; this, too, is humanitarianism.

In interpersonal relationships, greater individuals should yield to lesser ones. Who are the greater individuals? Those with a broad perspective, high level of understanding, good manners, cultivation, self-restraint, deep moral integrity, and who are reasonable and empathetic. And who are the lesser individuals? Those who are narrow-minded, short-sighted, petty, vengeful, lacking in manners, cultivation, and self-restraint, and who are unreasonable.

Therefore, when interacting with others, if the other person’s cultivation, knowledge, and moral character are not as developed as yours, you should yield to them and avoid causing them harm. Under the same pressure, those with a broader perspective and higher understanding can bear it more easily, while those with a narrower perspective and lower understanding cannot. For instance, 100 yuan may be just a tip for a rich person but could be a lifeline for a poor person. Losing 100 yuan might not matter to the rich, but for the poor, it could mean going hungry that day.

If you are spiritually and emotionally rich, you will always yield to others. If you are spiritually and emotionally poor, you will argue fiercely, stand your ground stubbornly, and leave others with no room to maneuver.

If you see someone endlessly arguing with a pig, there’s no need to analyze further—the person who is arguing with the pig shares the pig’s consciousness and understanding.

Celestials and Buddhas always yield to others and never engage in arguments. Anyone who argues with others is certainly not a celestial or a Buddha but a mortal, or even a worldly person. Those who yield to others are sure to be sages, celestials, or Buddhas.