Topics · Love & People
Wisdom about social skills.
What people have learned about social skills the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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- Speak from experience. Say what you lived and what you learned. Advice without a story is easy to ignore.
- Be kind to the person. Disagree with an idea as much as you like. Never with someone’s worth.
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From the library
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Music and dainties will make the passing guest stop (for a time). But though the Tao as it comes from the mouth, seems insipid and has no flavour, though it seems not worth being looked at or listened to, the use of it is inexhaustible.
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
Shrinking looked they like those who wade through a stream in winter; irresolute like those who are afraid of all around them; grave like a guest (in awe of his host); evanescent like ice that is melting away; unpretentious like wood that has not been fashioned into anything; vacant like a valley, and dull like muddy water.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.' This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing…
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.