Chapter Twelve: Exemplary Acts 9

A Japanese policeman disrespectfully addressed the Founding Master by name, so Oh Ch’anggŏn became angry at the policeman’s rudeness and severely scolded him. The Founding Master said, “That man acted that way because he does not know me very well yet. What is the point of reprimanding him so strongly? A person who converts others must always try hard to reform them by winning their voluntary submission. If one knows when to accept defeat, then there will surely come a day when one wins; but if one wins when one shouldn’t, then there will surely come a day when one loses.”