Wisdom of a Mother

Over two thousand years ago, during the Warring States Period in China, a simple old woman had the common sense to realize that people need to be decently fed.

Zi Fa was a general in the State of Chu. In a battle with the State of Qin, his food supplies were running out and he had to dispatch one of his men back home and asked the King of Chu for fresh supplies.

While he was there the subordinate paid a courtesy call to the mother of General Zi Fa.

The mother asked, “How are the conditions of the soldiers?”

“The food situation is very tight. The men could only have some beans and grains,” the subordinate said.

“How about your general?”

“Don’t worry ma’am. Our General has Braised Meat to go with his fragrant rice.”

“Oh“ the mother said, shaking her head.

Not long after, General Zi Fa scored a decisive victory over the Qin army and he returned to his country a hero.

However, when he went to his own house, he found the gate locked and he was not allowed in.

His mother then sent a messenger to relay him her message:

“When Gou Jian, the King of Yue, was fighting the State of Wu, someone donated a cask of excellent wine. He poured the wine into the river and together with his men, he drank from the river. Would there be any taste of wine left? Of course not! But the morale of the men had increased five-fold.

Later somebody donate him some bags of grain. He divided them among his soldiers. Would the grain be enough to lessen their hunger? Of course not! But their battle resolve has increased ten-fold.

“In your case, while your men starved, you feasted. Why?

Did not the Book of Songs advised, “Don’t enjoy yourself too much, only then can the good man be peaceful and relaxed.”

Is your behaviour at the war-front something to be proud of? You sent your men to die and yet you live in comfort. Even though the war was won it has nothing to do with you but your men’s valour.

You are not my son. Don’t come home.”


The moral of the story is: all leaders who can influence the life of others must always think of the lowest denominator. No matter how rich we feel, there will always be a group of people struggling to survive. This is especially so when the income gap keeps widening more and more and the lower income group’s wages fall lower and lower.

By Dr Wong Wee Nam