“He who knows others is learned; He who knows himself is wise.” – Lao Zi
During the reign of Emperor Dezong of Tang dynasty, there was a court academician named Pan Yan who enjoyed immense favour from the emperor. Once, mayor of the capital wished to see Pan Yan but failed to gain an audience for several days, so he presented three hundred bolts of fine silk to the gatekeeper. When Madame Pan learned of this, she said to her husband, “How can a high-ranking official be expected to give three hundred bolts of fine silk to the gatekeeper just to gain audience? The dangers of officialdom and the perils of holding high positions are all too clear from this.” She strongly urged her husband to resign from office.
Later, when her son was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Madame Pan was deeply worried and said to him, “With your talent, to be appointed Vice Director, I truly fear that disaster may befall you!”* The ministry repeatedly urged her son to assume his post, but Madame Pan insisted, “No, you cannot take up the position immediately. First, invite your colleagues for a gathering, and let me observe them.” Her son then invited his close colleagues. When the guests arrived, Madame Pan observed them from the side. After the gathering, she said joyfully to her son, “They are all on the same level as you. There is no need for worry anymore.”
* “Those whose virtue doesn’t match their position will surely suffer calamity.” – I Ching – Xi Ci
Origin: Taiping Guang Ji
#31 潘炎妻
侍郎潘炎在唐德宗时任翰林学士,受到极为深厚的恩宠。有一次京尹有事要见潘炎，一连几天未能见到，便向守门人赠送了三百匹细绢。潘夫人知道此事后，对潘炎说道：”哪有身为大臣，连京尹想要见面都要送给守门人三百匹细绢的道理！官场的可怕与身居高位的危险由此可知。“她急劝丈夫潘炎辞去官位。
他们的儿子刚被任命为户部侍郎时，潘夫人非常担忧，对他说：”以你的人才而得坐侍郎职位，我真害怕有灾祸临头啊!” * 户部衙门再三催促孟阳上任，夫人便道：”不行，不能马上就位。你先把你的同事们请来聚会一下，由我观察观察看看。”儿子便将交往深厚的同僚都找了来，客人来到后，夫人垂下帘子在一旁仔细观察了一番。聚会结束后，夫人高兴地对儿子说：”他们的才能和你相当，用不着担忧了。”
* 德不配位，必有灾殃。” –《周易 系辞》
出自《太平广记》