Know Thyself

(Clearwisdom.net) Socrates' close friend Chaerephon once consulted God at the Oracle of Delphi and asked, "Is there any other person in the world who is wiser than Socrates?"

God answers: No man is wiser than Socrates.

Chaerephon pleasantly displayed God's answer to Socrates. But to his surprise, Socrates' acted mystified and even uncomfortable.

Socrates did not believe that he was the wisest and most intelligent person in the world. To disprove God's conclusion, he decided to look for a person with more wisdom and a better reputation than himself.

First, he found a politician. The politician had a very high opinion of his own knowledge and talked non-stop with Socrates. Socrates saw the politician's self-righteousness and ignorance. He thought, "Although this person knows nothing about compassion and beauty, he thinks that he knows everything. At least I recognize that I am ignorant; so it seems that I am wiser than him."

Socrates was not satisfied, and he continued with his pursuit. He found a poet. This poet was a genius at writing poems, but he thought that he was the wisest man alive simply because he could write poems.

The next person he met was a craftsman. To his dismay, the craftsman made the same mistake as the poet did. He thought that he could do anything because he had some good skills. His pride eroded some of his own intellect.

Finally, Socrates found the true meaning of God's words. God did not say that Socrates was the most intelligent person in the world. God was telling the people that amongst other humans, only Socrates was the wisest because he was aware of his own ignorance.

In the world, we can find many who think highly of themselves. But how many people would seek proof of their ignorance with a humble heart?

"Know thyself": these famous words inscribed on the Oracle of Delphi gave Socrates his deep wisdom. Today, Socrates' validation opens a gate of wisdom to us. Oftentimes, knowing ourselves, and learning the truth starts from recognizing our own ignorance.

During cultivation, some people can see their own attachments and shortcomings. They regard the Fa as the Teacher, abandon their attachments and improve their xinxing. Others cannot see their own shortcomings, or they don't even acknowledge that they have any shortcomings, and they don't bother to look for their own problems. In fact, the wisest and the most diligent persons are probably the most humble ones who can thoroughly see their own problems.

Completely knowing ourselves, positioning ourselves at the right places, knowing what to do and what to avoid, having courage to face our own weaknesses, and correcting our mistakes sincerely--only when we do all of these things can we become genuine cultivators, improve and move forward.

Socrates was a prophet, but that didn't stop him from seeking proof of his own ignorance. How can we be so proud of our tiny accomplishments? When others criticize and blame us, should we defend ourselves with words, or should we feel the joy of being criticized, and honestly accept the criticism and correct our behavior? This is a manifestation of one's cultivation realm.

The more capable a person is, the more humble he or she becomes. Before the rice plants are ready to be harvested, they bow down their heads.

May 22, 2006