The Honest Person Creates an Honest World: The Wisdom of Reading People

 

We interact with countless people every day. Even though remote communication has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, we still encounter others in various ways and are subtly influenced by them.

Moments When Our True Nature Is Revealed

Unless they're acting, people inherently possess unique impressions and behaviors. These personal traits often reveal themselves unconsciously. So-called 'readers of people,' like fortune tellers or face readers, pay close attention to these subtle details, using them as crucial criteria to judge others.

If professions like teachers, lawyers, and business consultants make a living through words, then perhaps fortune tellers are prime examples of those who profit by observing people. Even street tarot card readers can gauge a lot about a customer from their facial expressions and body language as they enter their shop, and those with a keen eye can easily turn this into profit.

The Gap Between Mystical Beliefs and Reality

Recently, news that a presidential candidate sought out a specific person to predict their future garnered significant public attention. In the past, there were also persistent rumors about moving ancestral graves to become president. The fact that such mystical beliefs still hold sway, even in an era of advanced technologies like AI, the metaverse, and NFTs, suggests how desperately people desire certain outcomes.

However, instead of relying on such blind faith, wouldn't it be more beneficial to focus on self-cultivation through traditional means of "improving fortune" (개운, gaeun) like charity (보시, bosi), volunteering (봉사, bongsa), and self-discipline (수양, suyang)? I believe that accumulating 'hidden virtues' (음덕, eumdeok), unknown to others, truly brings good fortune.

The "Respect Heaven and Love the People" Spirit for Leaders

While human desire for wealth and power seems endless, it's often said that the opportunity to reach the highest positions is not something one creates but rather something bestowed by heaven. Therefore, a leader must possess the philosophy of 'Respect Heaven' (경천, gyeongcheon), fearing and revering the heavens. Simultaneously, they must also embody the philosophy of 'Love the People' (애민, aemin). It's indeed questionable whether many of today's political candidates truly hold these "Respect Heaven and Love the People" ideals.

When one's thoughts are lacking, their speech and actions naturally become awkward. A person driven by the arrogant belief of "it must be me" will inevitably try to evade difficult situations when faced with them, leading to unnatural behavior. In such circumstances, it is inappropriate to casually discuss the will of heaven regarding election results.