人心如面 — “Hearts are like faces”

During the Spring and Autumn period, Zǐ Pí, the chief minister of the State of Zheng, intended to appoint Yǐn Hé as a high-ranking official (Dàfū). Many at the time believed Yǐn Hé was too young and lacked experience, worrying about his competence. However, Zǐ Pí was undeterred. He said, "His honesty is admirable, and I trust he will not betray my expectations. Moreover, this is a great opportunity for him to learn."

Another minister, Zǐ Chǎn, calmly replied, "It is certainly good that Your Highness wishes to cultivate young talent, but doing so might inadvertently harm him. It's like asking someone who doesn't know how to use a knife to cut meat; they might end up injuring their own hand. Governing a state is similar. If Yǐn Hé could gain more experience before officially becoming a Dàfū, his work would undoubtedly be well-organized. Otherwise, it could lead to unforeseen losses for the state."

Upon hearing Zǐ Chǎn's words, Zǐ Pí suddenly understood. He exclaimed, "What you've said makes perfect sense! From now on, I will consult your opinion on every major decision to avoid making serious mistakes." Unexpectedly, the humble Zǐ Chǎn shook his head and said, "People's thoughts are as varied as their faces; everyone is different. My opinion can only serve as a reference."