Being a part of the underworld isn’t just about having high martial skills or working hard. Nor does it mean you must be stern, unsmiling, and constantly talk about loyalty and morality. It’s about being a good person first, not acting mysterious and superior all the time. When you meet the gang leader or others, greet them. Not used to it? This is called manners. When you see injustice, step up to help. When it’s time to be courteous, you should be courteous.
“The Great Learning” states: “Those in ancient times who wished to make bright virtue shine throughout the world, first ordered well their own states. Wishing to order well their states, they first regulated their families. Wishing to regulate their families, they first cultivated their own selves. Wishing to cultivate their own selves, they first rectified their hearts. Wishing to rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their thoughts. Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts, they first extended their knowledge. The extension of knowledge lies in the investigation of things.” It further states, “From the Emperor down to the common man, all should take self-cultivation as the root.” Here, “investigation of things, extension of knowledge, sincerity, and rectification of the heart” form the foundation of “self-cultivation.” “Investigation of things” means observing the laws of change in all things, understanding their essence, gaining knowledge, and forming one’s worldview, leading to “extension of knowledge.” “Sincerity” involves regulating one’s thoughts and daily behavior with moral integrity. “Rectification of the heart” means correcting one’s conduct with virtue, ensuring a clear and just mindset. With the foundation of these four steps, one can achieve unity between one’s worldview and actions, and in dealing with others, one can influence them through virtue, which is what “self-cultivation” truly means.
Confucius’s philosophy suggests that one should achieve “self-cultivation” before discussing “regulating the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world.” That is to say, before taking any action, one must first focus on their moral and cultural refinement.
An office is a public space, so there are many etiquette aspects to consider. For instance, pay attention to your attire, avoiding clothes that clash with the company’s culture. Although some service and customer-facing industries require formal dress, in fields like programming or design, where there’s no need to meet clients and a relaxed environment is encouraged to boost productivity, casual attire might be preferred. In such cases, entering the office in very formal attire could seem out of place. Also, avoid wearing overly revealing or personal clothing like tank tops or slippers, and refrain from using strong fragrances, as the office is a shared environment where others’ feelings should be considered.
Especially in open offices where colleagues or clients frequently pass by, keep your own work area tidy. The organization of documents and items can reflect one’s approach to work. These details can showcase one’s attention to detail and politeness.
A Gentleman Loves Wealth, But Gains It Righteously
Now you know that to establish yourself in the gang, you need to show diligence, learn from experience, and enhance your abilities to become a leader and earn more. So, what should you do? Train hard, improve your martial skills, which is only one part. Work diligently, which is also just one aspect. You say you’ll slack off when the boss isn’t around? Or learn how to make some under-the-table money? I think you’re beyond help, destined for mediocrity.
Look at the heroes and idols celebrated by people; which of them isn’t righteous and valiant? To achieve great things, one must first have great ambition. When Xiang Yu saw the procession of Qin Shihuang, with its grand and imposing array, he was filled with ambition and said, “He can be overthrown.” His uncle, Xiang Liang, was impressed and decided to nurture him. Later, when they rose in revolt, heroes from all sides came to join them. They broke their pots, sank their boats, and in one fell swoop overthrew Qin, making the other states “dare not look up.” That’s what a true hero looks like. If you’re always thinking about petty gains, how can you ever advance?
Fresh out of school, not yet firmly established, you think of shortcuts? Moreover, you’re surrounded by seasoned veterans. If we’re talking about cunning and slyness, you’re far behind, so I advise you not to entertain any crooked thoughts.
As an individual, you are an employee of a company and a citizen of the state. If you are naturally intelligent, diligent, and possess exceptional abilities, coupled with good moral cultivation, you will undoubtedly create value for the company and contribute to the nation. Conversely, without the necessary moral constraints, not only will you fail to contribute to the company’s development, but the higher your ability, the greater the potential harm to the company. Transitioning from campus to society, one faces a far more complex web of social relationships, and the ideological impact of this shift is undoubtedly immense. In school, upholding morality and justice comes naturally because the environment is relatively pure, and temptations are few. Society, however, is a much more intricate group, with contradictions in relationships and ideologies far more complex than those found in family or school, and the struggles are more apparent, more intense, and carry more tangible benefits. In a corporate setting, power and profit are very real, directly touching the heat of money and the might of authority. Faced with this, many might not hold onto their convictions as they did in school or at home, instead considering how to quickly gain more benefits and greater power.
“君子爱财，取之有道” (“A gentleman loves wealth, but gains it in the right way”). It’s not wrong to strive for advancement and seek better compensation, but this must be within the bounds of law and morality. One should not abandon moral principles and human decency just for the lure of wealth and power. Of course, sometimes flexibility within unchanging principles is permissible. However, for newcomers to society, especially those just starting their careers, understanding society isn’t deep; many issues are only seen at face value. If one blindly imitates negative practices, influenced by thoughts lacking in morality and responsibility, without the necessary experience or a solid worldview to absorb and transform these influences, it’s easy to go with the flow, leading to decline, becoming increasingly severe, from discomfort to habit, from tension to habit, until one day, realizing the error, it’s often too late to correct.
Besides stringent moral requirements, one must also focus on personal conduct. In daily work, every action of an individual reflects their moral cultivation. Beyond personal knowledge and capabilities, one’s conduct contributes to their overall ability. Using honorifics in interpersonal interactions, offering greetings upon meeting, or even providing comfort when others face difficulties, all reflect a level of upbringing. This upbringing isn’t directly proportional to one’s education or knowledge; many with high education lack moral flaws but might lack good manners, coming off as arrogant and cold, which doesn’t win them favor, making it hard to be promoted or to develop.
