The Best Things to Give Our Progeny

(Minghui.org) Since ancient times, parents have always hoped to leave something for their children and grandchildren so that their life path will be less bumpy. But what is the best thing that one can leave them that will be truly beneficial? Let’s take a look at the insights on this topic of a few historical figures.

Prevent Youngsters from Becoming Lazy and Indulgent

Shu Guang was a native in the Western Han dynasty. He was eager to learn since he was a child. He had many disciples and taught students at home in his early years. Later, he was recruited by the imperial court, and was much valued by Emperor Xuan of Han, who appointed him as a scholar, then as Taizhong Dafu (Superior Grand Masters of the Palace), and then Taifu (teacher of the Crown Prince). Shu Guang was held in high esteem and rewarded many times for his merits and fine character. 

He believed that “One would not suffer humiliation if one understands what it means to be content, and one would not encounter danger if one knew that enough is as good as a feast;” and “It is in line with the law of heaven to retire after having made one’s mark.”

According to the Book of Han, during the five years Shu Guang served as Taifu, the Crown Prince became proficient in The Analects of Confucius and the Book of Filial Piety when he was only 12. So, Shu asked if he could retire. The emperor accepted his request and gave him twenty catties of gold (one catty is approximately 605 grams) as a reward for his service. The Crown Prince gave him another fifty catties of gold to show Shu Guang his appreciation of his teaching abilities. Both Shu Guang and his nephew retired at the peak of their official careers.

After Shu Guang returned to his hometown, he often asked his family to hold banquets for his clansmen and friends, intending to use up all the gold he was given in this way. 

More than a year passed, and his children and grandchildren quietly said to a trusted elder, “We all hope to be left with some family assets, but if our family keeps spending money in entertaining guests this way, the family wealth will be exhausted. Please help us by talking to the old man.” 

The elder passed on the concerns of Shu Guang’s descendants as promised.

“Do you really think that I am that stupid as to not to care about my children and grandchildren?” Shu Guang asked the elder. 

“We already have some land in the family, and as long as my children and grandchildren work hard, they would have nothing to worry about. If there is more wealth in the family, it will only make them lazy. A wise person with a lot of wealth can easily lose his inspiration; an ignorant person with wealth will tend to make more mistakes. Besides, being wealthy often attracts jealousy and resentment,” Shu Guang explained to the elderly man.

“Moreover, the gold was given to me by the monarch, so I am happy to share the gift with the local people and friends. This is how I would like to spend the rest of my life. There is nothing wrong with that, right?” The elderly man nodded in admiration of Shu Guang’s wisdom and integrity.

Passing the Virtue of Thrift to Later Generations

It is said in the Book of Han that Xiao He, the number one hero in the history of the founding of the Han Dynasty, was a thrifty and far-sighted person. After Liu Bang’s troops fought their way into the capital of the Qin state, while the soldiers were busy snatching gold, silver, and other valuables, Xiao He grabbed the geographical atlas, official documents, household registrations, and financial files of the Qin state, which played a crucial role later in helping Liu Bang gain a good understanding of the overall situation in his efforts to unify China. 

Xiao He’s plan for his descendants was also far-sighted. When he was purchasing land to build a residence, he intentionally chose a desolate spot and rarely added more rooms or structures. He said, “If my descendants are wise and capable, they will learn to live a simple and thrifty life and will always feel well-provided for. If they are not as talented and capable, the humble land I purchased for them will not attract any interest or be snatched away by other, more powerful households.

After Xiao He passed away, both his sons were awarded the title of Marquise and lived a prosperous and fulfilling life. 

Integrity Wins Respect

According to the Book of the Later Han, Yang Zhen was a well-known commandant (in charge of the army) in the Eastern Han dynasty. When he served as the prefect of Zhuojun County in his earlier career, he was always fair and honest, and didn’t accept private favors or requests. He lived a thrifty life by taking simple tea and light meals at home, and he never used a carriage. 

Some of his old friends and elders suggested that he accumulate some family assets for his descendants. Yang Zhen said, “When future generations can say with pride that they are descendants of a decent official, isn’t it the best legacy they can have?”

Later, his oldest son was appointed as head of Fubo County, his second son took the position of commandant, and his youngest son studied very hard and was very knowledgeable. Their fine character and achievements were held in high esteem by the people.

It is said in the Book of Sui, when Fang Yanqian was serving as Investigating Censor, he was rated as the best person in the national official assessment office thanks to his honesty and integrity.

Fang Yanqian was actually from a wealthy family with assets passed down from his ancestors, but he took wealth very lightly and spent all his assets helping relatives and friends, which left very little for his own family. Thus they always lived a very simple and thrifty life. Sometimes they didn’t even have enough for the basics, yet Fang Yanqian still felt happy and content. 

He often said to his son: “Others live a prosperous life with official salaries, and I am the only one who has become poorer as a court official. The only thing I can pass on to my descendants is honesty and integrity.” 

Later, his only son, Fang Xuanling, became the founding hero and chancellor of the Tang Dynasty, and was posthumously recognized as Duke Wenzhao of Liang.

Accumulating Virtue Can Bless Future Generations

Sima Guang, a famous chancellor of the Song Dynasty, said in the Family Precepts: “There are no ancestors who do not want to benefit future generations, but they can do very little because most people only care about how to accumulate more money for later generations, thinking that by doing so their children and grandchildren will have inexhaustible wealth. However, because they don’t know how to educate their children and grandchildren to behave in life, in the end, the wealth they have accumulated through decades of hard work is squandered in a matter of few years, and the youngsters even laugh at their ancestors for being stupid and not knowing how to enjoy life.”

Sima Guang also said that the ancient sages left “virtue and propriety” to their descendants, while virtuous people left “honesty and thriftiness” to later generations. 

Epilogue

Wealth is something external. It comes and goes. Virtue, propriety, modesty, and thriftiness are fine qualities that are embedded in one’s character. They can influence one’s whole life. Virtues accumulated by one’s ancestors can also bring blessings to their descendants. 

In today’s society, children and grandchildren often fight over an inheritance, and relatives go to court and speak ill of each other. Some high-ranking officials are corrupt on the one hand and seek improper benefits and privileges for their children on the other, and meet retribution in the end.

From the experience and wisdom of the ancient sages, we can see that setting examples for the younger generations by embodying the virtues of thriftiness and integrity, and by doing good deeds and accumulating virtue is the best legacy one can leave to future generations.