Huainanzi - Entry 49

Trey Smith

[There are ways to evaluate people.] If they are of low status, observe what they refuse to do.
~ a passage from The Book of Leadership and Strategy by Thomas Cleary ~

For me, this has to do with self-respect. No matter the state of our lives, there are some actions we simply will refuse to undertake. For example, some people have the integrity not to cheat others, even if standing for this principle means that they themselves will suffer.

Personally, I think it is just as informative to see what the person of high status will refuse to do. Often, it has little to do with principle and everything to do with laziness! Why do something yourself if you can get (or force) someone else to do it for you!

To read the introduction to this ongoing series, go here.