庸人自扰 — “To create problems where none exist”

Lu Xiangxian was a man of great magnanimity during the Tang Dynasty. At that time, Princess Taiping wielded immense power. Prime Ministers Xiao Zhizhong, Cen Yi, and other high-ranking officials all sided with her, but Lu Xiangxian maintained his integrity, never flattering anyone. In the second year of Xiantian, Princess Taiping's plot was exposed, and she was executed. Xiao Zhizhong and others were also put to death. Many people were implicated in this incident. Lu Xiangxian secretly intervened to resolve their predicaments, saving many lives, though those people never knew it afterwards.

In the third year of Xiantian, Lu Xiangxian was appointed Commissioner of Justice for Jiannan Circuit. A Sima (an official title) advised him, "I hope you will use some corporal punishment to establish your authority. Otherwise, I fear no one will listen to us." Lu Xiangxian replied, "Those in power only need to be reasonable. Why resort to harsh punishments? This is not the conduct of a benevolent person."

Six years later, Lu Xiangxian became the Prefect of Puzhou. When officials and common people committed offenses, he mostly enlightened and educated them before releasing them. A clerk said to him, "My Lord, if you don't whip them, how can you command awe?" Lu Xiangxian responded, "Human nature is much the same. Don't they understand my words? If punishment is needed, I think we should start with you." The clerk withdrew in shame.

Lu Xiangxian often said, "There is inherently no trouble in the world; it is people themselves who create their own problems, only making things worse (庸人自扰). If one could realize this clearly from the beginning, things would be much simpler."