3 X 8 = 23 - Confucius

I chanced upon this story which may not be authentic, but it offers a rather unusual way of looking at how to behave when involved in an argument.
Don't we usually concentrate on winning an argument or proving 'the truth' rather than considering the consequences?

Yan Hui was Confucius’s favorite disciple who loves to learn, he also has a good disposition.

One day when Yan Hui was on duty, he saw a fabric store surrounded by many people. He approached and found a buyer and seller of fabric quarelling.

The buyer shouted: “3 X 8 = 23, why did you say 24?”

Yan Hui approached the buyer and said: “My friend, 3 X 8 = 24, do not argue anymore.”

The fabric buyer was not happy and pointing to Yan Hui’s nose said: “Who asked for your opinion? If I want to ask for an opinion I will ask Confucius. I will accept whatever Confucius decides. ”

Yan Hui: “Well, what if Confucius says that you’re wrong?”

Fabric buyer: “If Confucius says I’m wrong, I will cut off my head. What if you are wrong?”

Yan Hui: “If I’m wrong, you can have my position.”

Both agreed on this bet, and went looking for Confucius.

After Confucius heard their case, he laughed and said to Yan Hui, “three times eight is twentythree. Yan Hui, you lose. Give your position to him. ”

Yan Hui will never argue with his teacher. Since Confucius said that he is wrong, he took off  his hat and gave it to the buyer. The man took Yan Hui’s hat and went away satisfied.

Although Yan Hui accepted  Confucius’ decision, in his heart he disagreed. He thought that this proves that Confucius has become old and senile, so he no longer wished to learn from him. Yan Hui asked for a leave of absence by reason of family problem.

Confucius understands Yan Hui’s feelings and gave him leave. Before Yan Hui departure, Confucius bade him goodbye, told him to quickly returned after the business was completed, and gave two pieces of advice: “1.When it rains hard, do not take shelter under a tree. 2.Do not kill. ”

Yan Hui said, “Okay,” and went home.

On the way suddenly there was a strong wind and much lightning, and it started to rained very hard. Yan Hui wanted to take shelter under a tree, but suddenly he remembered the advice of his teacher, and felt that he should follow it and left the tree. A few moments later the tree was struck by lightning and destroyed.

Yan Hui was surprised, the advice turned out to be correct; it seems that his teacher knew what is going to happen. Then he remembered the second advice and wondered ‘am I going to kill people?’.

When Yan Hui arrived at his home it was getting late and he did not want to disturb his wife’s sleep. He used his sword to open the bedroom door. Arriving in front of the bed, he felt around and found that there is someone on the left side of the bed and also someone on the right side. He became very angry, and lifted his sword. When he was going to slash at the person, he remembered his teacher’s advice “do not kill”.

He then lit some candles and discovered that the person sleeping next to his wife was the sister of his wife.

The next day, he went back to Confucius. Kneeling, Yan Hui said: “Teacher, how could you know what will happen?”

Confucius said: “I did not know what will happen. However, yesterday was a very hot day, such is often followed by  heavy rain and lightning, so I reminded you to not take shelter under a tree.  I understood that you must be disappointed and angry, and since you carry a sword in that state of mind, I warned you not to kill “.

Yan Hui said: “Teacher, your reasoning is great, I am very impressed.”

Confucius continued:

“I knew that when you asked to go on leave it was not because of family matters; you just did not want to learn anymore from me. Consider carefully: because I said that 3 x 8 =23. you lost your bet and your position. But if  I said truthfully that 3 × 8 = 24 is correct, the fabric buyer would have lost and thereby one life would be sacrificed.  What do you think is more important: your position or a human life? ”

Yan Hui realized the error of his judgment (ethics) and said: “Teacher was more concerned with the important aspects, while I actually thought that teacher  has turned old and senile. This student is really embarrassed. ”

Since then, Yan Hui always followed wherever Confucius goes.

This story reminds us:

If I bet and win the whole world,  I lost you.

In other words, you bet to win what you think is the truth, but instead lost something more important. Many things there are levels of importance.

Let's bet for the principles of truth, but eventually even regret, come too late.

Many things to unnecessary risk. Step backward, instead got is good for everyone.

Insisting against a customer. If we win,  in actuality we loose.. (When we love again sample the goods, we will understand).

Insisting against the Boss. If we win, in actuality we loose. (At year-end bonus assessment, we will understand).

Insisting against her/his husband/wife.  If she/he wins, in actuality she/he looses as well. (Husband did not like at home)

Insisting against a friend. If we win, in actuality loose. (We'd lose a friend)