Money and Morals: Mencius is regarded as a saint who spoke only of righteousness, but he mentioned a lot of economic issues. Among them, it has been said that humans must have a steady livelihood so their righteousness can also be maintained. According to Mencius, it’s hard to follow human morals without a certain income. To be wealthy, you must have a small, but regular income, which is better than an irregular one. In business, the ‘bottom (seed capital)’ is very important. You need a foundation to start a business. No matter how much capital-less startups are, the fact is that the founders’ labor costs are being consumed. In other words, this means there is a bottom, and nothing is free. Creating a consistent income in life cannot be overstated. If you are struggling due to financial hardship, make sure to have a steady income, even if it’s small. That small, steady income makes the future predictable, turning uncertainty into certainty. Businesses and investments are profitable whe...
Experience should not serve as a constraint that confines individuals to their past; instead, it should act as a foundation for future endeavors. While successful experiences can instill confidence, they may simultaneously restrict one’s thoughts and actions, leading to potential lapses in judgment. It is noteworthy that my achievements may not have solely stemmed from my abilities but could have been attributed to fortuitous circumstances, often arising from the missteps of others. A valuable experience should not foster arrogance or dismiss the fallibility of unwavering self-assurance and disregard for alternative perspectives. To mitigate the risk of failure, one must cultivate humility. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”