The People I Respect Among Humanity
Xuefeng
Among humanity, there are certain individuals who possess neither power nor position, neither fame nor fortune. They have no backing, no prestigious education—only a humble heart. They always believe they know nothing. While others speak with confidence and flourish, they quietly listen and reflect. Their faces reveal shyness, sincerity, earnestness, and humility. In their hearts, they think: I am but a blade of grass, a mere student, a useless person who understands nothing.
They are filial to their parents, gentle caregivers to their children, loyal companions to their siblings, kind neighbors to those around them, and warm smiles to passing strangers. They have not accomplished any earth-shattering deeds, nor written works that will be remembered through the ages. They have not amassed great wealth for future generations, nor performed feats that would draw praise or envy from neighbors and friends. They live quietly and anonymously, often in forgotten corners of the world. Their worldview is simple:
“Why do you herd sheep?” “To marry a wife.” “Why marry a wife?” “To have children.” “Why have children?” “To herd sheep.”
They do not write poems or sing songs. They do not give speeches in public. They do not blame or harm others, nor do they stir up trouble or seek attention. Day after day, they rise early and work late, tending fields and workshops, moving through streets and alleys, herding by rivers and pastures. There is no clamor in their lives, no unrest, no disputes over right and wrong, no grand ideals. They have entirely forgotten themselves, thinking only of how to make life a little more comfortable for their loved ones.
Their clothes are plain, their food is coarse, their faces are marked with deep wrinkles, but their hearts are pure and kind. Though they may seem small, they are the ones who grow the food that feeds humanity, who build the towers that scrape the sky, who pave the roads that carry the world, and who raise the children who will shape the future.
They are so humble that when others sing, they clap with joy; when others dance, they cheer with delight. When they encounter the learned, they feel ashamed of their ignorance and look on with deep respect. When faced with loud or aggressive people, they shrink back, scarcely daring to breathe. They live in what society calls the “lower strata,” only hoping that tomorrow might be a little better—without extravagant dreams.
Because of their simple and sincere hearts, they do not even know what it means to be deceived—they treat others with honesty. Having no lofty ambitions, they rarely worry about what lies ahead. They are untouched by cunning and deceit, far removed from scheming and power struggles, free from competition and calculation.
Aware of their own ignorance, they revere Heaven and stand in awe of the gods. Knowing their own smallness, they cherish flowers and grass. Conscious of their limitations, they follow the rules. Aware of their lack of knowledge, they respect learning.
When mistreated, they simply bow their heads. When suffering, they endure in silence. When mocked or struck down, they bear it without resentment. When wronged, they never cry out for justice.
They always help others shine and never undermine them. They are always grateful, never repaying kindness with spite. They always speak with humility, never issuing orders with arrogance. They are always hoping, longing, and waiting—but never fantasizing, never deluding themselves, never chasing wild ambition.
…
These are the people I truly respect and revere. In their presence, I feel ashamed and unworthy—fit only to kneel before them in humility.
I, Xuefeng, once thought myself remarkable. But who am I, really? I am nothing. Only when I realize that I am but a blade of grass by the roadside—still able to rise again and grow a few green leaves after being eaten by sheep, trampled by horses, and stepped on by passersby—only then will I truly understand who I am.
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