A real wolf does not need to wear sheep's clothing; the one wearing sheep's clothing is a fake wolf
Key insights
A real wolf does not need to wear sheep's clothing; the one wearing sheep's clothing is a fake wolf. Great evil is great good; the key lies in one's original intention.
4.1 A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Problem
"Does a wolf need to wear sheep's clothing in society?"
Answer
Wearing sheep's clothing = hypocrisy
Not a real wolf, but a fake wolf (actually still a sheep)
Real Wolf vs. Fake Wolf
| Real wolves | Fake wolves (in sheep's clothing) |
|---|---|
| Need no disguise | Use a disguise to get close to sheep |
| Powerful | Not powerful enough |
| Go straight in for the kill | Lurk and wait |
| Suffer less | Twisted by suffering |
| Open and aboveboard | Hypocrisy |
Why wear sheep's clothing?
Because：
- Not powerful enough
- Need to lie low
- Need to get close to the target
- Need to disguise oneself
But：
"A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a sheep at heart."
A truly powerful wolf：
- Need no disguise
- Reveal its fangs outright
- Act openly and aboveboard
4.2 Dragon-Slaying Tactics
What are dragon-slaying tactics?
"Dragon-slaying tactics: Play the fool to outwit the strong, using the weak to defeat the strong."
Example
Sima Yi：
- Playing the fool
- Avoid Cao Shuang's suspicion
- Ultimately seize power
Zhu Di：
- Playing the fool
- Avoid Emperor Jianwen's efforts to curtail the vassal princes' power
- Ultimately triumph in the Jingnan Campaign
Cost
Pain：
- A twisted mind
- A warped personality
- Long-term repression
Risks：
- Exposed
- Killed in retaliation
- Disgraced and ruined
4.3 Great Evil Is Great Good
The laws of the Way of Heaven
"Great evil is great good, and great good is great evil."
Example: Ding Yuanying
Rob the rich to help the poor：
- To the rich: great evil (robbery)
- To the poor: great good (assistance)
- For himself: nearly died (vomiting blood)
Result：
- The rich man Lin Yufeng committed suicide
- The poor were saved
- The person he loved died
Example: Gao Qiqiang
Fight evil with evil：
- Use underworld tactics
- To take on the underworld
- The young dragon slayer becomes an evil dragon
Result：
- Once protected his family
- In the end, he perished, and his path came to nothing
- I want to be a good person, but it's too late
The key: your original intentions
"As long as your original intention is kind and guided by conscience, acting from goodness is enough."
Not：
- Do evil for its own sake
- Stop at nothing for personal gain
But rather：
- For the greater good
- Have no choice but to do evil
- Inner torment
4.4 The True Self and the Disguise
Be your authentic self
"Those who understand you will understand naturally. Let those who don't be."
A kindred spirit：
- "Brother Qi, you've had it tough. Come on, let's grab a couple of drinks."
- Understands your struggles
- No explanation needed
Those who don't understand：
- "Teacher, why are you wearing a hat?"
- "Teacher, you're so handsome."
- Only see the surface
Remain steadfast in your convictions
"Stay true to your convictions, as long as your original intentions are kind and guided by conscience."
Not：
- Do evil for personal gain
- Stop at nothing to succeed
- Lose yourself
But rather：
- Stay true to your original intentions
- Be kind and have a conscience
- Do good without worrying about what lies ahead
Key quotes
- "A true wolf does not need to wear sheep’s clothing."
- "A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a sheep at heart."
- "The art of dragon slaying: play the fool to outwit a stronger opponent, but at a tremendous cost."
- "Great evil is great good, and great good is great evil."
- "The key lies in your original intentions—whether they are kind and guided by conscience."
- "Those who understand you will understand naturally. Let those who don't be."
- "Stay firm in your convictions, do good deeds, and do not worry about the future."
Practical Exercises
Self-awareness
- ☐ Am I pretending to be someone I'm not?
- ☐ What is my original intention?
- ☐ Can I be my true self?
- ☐ Am I firm in my convictions?
Direction of cultivation
- Strengthening yourself: Become a true wolf, no need for pretense
- Stay true to your original intentions: No matter how strong you become, never forget your original intention
- Be your authentic self: Don't pander to others, don't pretend
*"The truly strong need no pretense; keep your original intention and act with integrity."*