[KIM SEONG-KON] Appreciation of sages` timeless wisdom

Whenever we encounter ordeals and difficulties, we can turn to the ancient sages who left us timeless wisdom to guide us through the turbulent storms and serpentine labyrinths of our present reality. Ancient Chinese wisdom is especially helpful in illuminating the characteristics of a good leader.

After unifying China, Liu Bang (247-195 B.C.), the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, asked his subjects, "What do you think enabled me to defeat my powerful rival Xiang Yu and to unify the nation?" His subjects answered in unison, "My Lord, Xiang Yu was a cruel man who did not hesitate to massacre his prisoners of war. But Your Majesty was so generous and morally superior to Xiang Yu. We believe that is the primary reason for your great success." "Nonsense!" retorted the emperor. "I succeeded because I had extremely able men serving me." Then the emperor referred to his three aides as an example: "For instance, Xiao He is far better than me in administration and management, Zhang Liang is superior to me in the art of war, and Han Xin is a much greater warrior than me. All I had to do to win the war was to appoint the right people for the right positions."



Unfortunately, however, many of our leaders seem to fail in appointing the right people for the right positions. Then they cannot trust their staff and try to manage everything themselves only to become a failed leader. The ability to recognize a competent man is an indispensable attribute of a great leader. In order to be a successful leader, therefore, one should be willing to go far to find a good man, even if it means venturing outside one`s own faction. When one finds an able man, one should trust and support him. Unfortunately, our leaders do not seem to be capable of trusting others and consequently fall short of gathering truly able men in their Cabinet and staff.

Although Emperor Liu Bang was very grateful to his excellent aides, he began eliminating them one by one from his Cabinet after he had established his own unified kingdom. People began to complain that Liu Bang was too brutal and impudent, betraying his faithful aides who had helped him become emperor at last. As a great leader, however, Liu Bang knew that his once helpful aides would become arrogant, compete for power in government, and inevitably hamper the reform of the new empire.

Ignoring Liu Bang`s wisdom, however, our political leaders have invariably appointed their campaign aides to major posts, regardless of their ability. The results have often been disastrous. Campaign aides naturally expect rewards from their leader. However, rewards should not have to come in the form of an official appointment, especially if the appointment may have a negative impact on the future of an organization.

Whenever we monitor hearings for the Cabinet minister nominees in the National Assembly, we find our politicians are always eager to find moral deficiency of the nominees. However, an ancient Chinese anecdote provides us with wisdom on that issue. Chen Ping was a superb military tactician under Liu Bang. When Liu Bang tried to promote him to a higher position, he heard of a scandalous rumor that Chen Ping had once taken a bribe and allegedly had an affair with his sister-in-law. Thus Liu Bang summoned Wei Wuzhi who had recommended Chen Ping to him and inquired of the scandal. Wei Wuzhi replied, "My lord, you ask about his moral behavior and conduct. But one`s ability is more important than his moral impeccability. Especially in times of crisis, a man of noble character is useless if he is not competent." Liu Bang nodded and promoted Chen Ping despite the scandalous rumors.

Another illuminating anecdote is the story of Xun Bian. Zisi, a grandson of Confucius, once recommended Xun Bian for a military general position to the king of the Wei Dynasty. The king rejected the recommendation, stating, "I hear Xun Bian took two eggs from a farmer while he was a local governor." Zisi replied, "My Lord, a great leader is like a skillful carpenter. A carpenter does not throw away a board simply because it has a defect. He just cuts out the defect and uses the rest of the board. Please do not lose an able man on account of a minor flaw." The king smiled and appointed Xun Bian who later turned out to be a great general.

On the other hand, our politicians busily interrogate Cabinet minister nominees` moral integrity, not their ability and competence. Do they not know that moral impeccability does not necessarily indicate political competency? Or are our politicians determined to be hostile to any candidate nominated by the government?

Ancient wisdom can be found in any country and civilization. When we become lost in the maze of contemporary reality, we can always turn to the experiences of our ancient leaders. Perhaps now is a good time for our current leaders to look back to wisdom of their predecessors.





Kim Seong-kon is a professor of English at Seoul National University and director of the Seoul National University Press. - Ed.