In
this world it isn’t difficult to attain power, fame and fortune
as long as we strive a little harder, act a little more cleverly and
shrewdly, know how to scheme and have a little ambition. But what’s
difficult is to control this power and put it to good use. If we don’t
control our fame, fortune and power they’ll hurt us, our friends,
our relatives, our countries and the whole world.
Thus, fame and fortune are indeed very terrible, not because those who
are famous and wealthy are terrible, or because fame and fortune in
themselves are terrible but because those who can’t handle their
fame and fortune and can’t use it properly are terrible. Most
people are too greedy and ambitious, never being satisfied no matter
how much they possess. So in order to gain fame and fortune and maintain
their power, they unscrupulously use any means necessary and dare to
do anything. So we say that fame and fortune are terrible because most
people don’t know how to handle it. Instead of using it they’re
used by it.
If we know how to make use of fame and fortune, however, no problems
will arise. For instance, in history many so-called masters have become
emperors or officials who’ve taken charge of very important tasks
in their societies, yet there were no problems. Only when fame and fortune
come into the hands of laypeople, into the hands of those who have little
morality but big ambition does it become very dangerous.
Pearls
of Wisdom