During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, there was a minister named Yang Chufu serving Duke Xiang of Jin. He was fond of grandiose speech and often assumed a superior attitude, lecturing others as if he were a repository of knowledge and scholarship.
One day, Duke Xiang of Jin sent him on a diplomatic mission to other feudal states. On his way back, he passed through Ning City in the state of Lu.
In Ning City, a man named Ning Ying spoke with Yang Chufu. Impressed by what he perceived as Yang's deep learning, Ning Ying decided to accompany him on his journey. However, after a few days, Ning Ying left Yang Chufu behind and returned home alone. When his wife saw him return so quickly, she was puzzled and asked why.
Ning Ying replied, “After spending a few days with Yang Chufu, I realized that he is like a tree whose flowers are beautiful but never bear fruit.”
Sighing, Ning Ying said with feeling, “To be showy but empty is to gather resentment.”
His wife asked, “Why do you say that?”
Ning Ying explained, “Yang Chufu speaks fluently and persuasively. At first, one is impressed by his apparent wisdom and may feel admiration. However, the longer one interacts with him, the more obvious it becomes that he lacks true substance. Once his emptiness is exposed, others will naturally harbor resentment. As resentment accumulates, following him would bring me no benefit and might even involve me in his misfortune. Therefore, I chose to return early.” His wife nodded in agreement.
As Ning Ying predicted, a year later, Yang Chufu was killed by others because of his superficial and insincere nature.
When making friends, choosing the right kind of person is of paramount importance. A good choice brings lifelong happiness, while a wrong one can lead to disaster, or even cost one’s life.
