Jianzi's Humility

During the Warring States Period, Zhao Jianzi (the ancestor of the kings of Zhao State), was a senior minister of Jin State. However, he was always riding an old carriage, driving thin horses, and wearing a robe of black ram's skin.

One day, his house manager said,“A new carriage will be safer, a strong horse will be faster and a robe of white fox skin warmer, lighter and thinner.”

Jianzi answered,“I also know that. However, I have heard that good clothing can make a man of honor more humble, but a short-sighted person more arrogant. So what I do now is just to avoid having a short-sighted mind.”

Now we use this idiom to indicate that a person should always keep a humble heart.

We should be low-pitched when conducting ourselves and handle affaires. The rich virtue of self-control is one of the most important qualities when we want to establish themselves in the society.