The Virtue Revealed at Last

The old king, on his deathbed, told his son, “My boy, be good and do good, and never disregard our minister’s remarks.” When the king died, the prince ascended to the throne.

The young king was never happy with the old minister, as he constantly found fault with the king’s ways. For five long years, the young king tolerated the minister’s criticism. However, one day, he could contain his frustration no longer and erupted in the open court, “Old man, don’t you ever find any virtue in me?” That day, the king had decided to dismiss the minister.

All the courtiers looked on anxiously as the tension in the room escalated. “My lord,” the minister replied gravely. “I will reveal today what your greatest virtue is, now that I am going to retire. It is your ability to silently endure all my criticism. None but a king of great nobility could have done that. I salute you, my young master, as I leave!”

Tears welled up in the young king’s eyes. He descended from his throne and embraced the old minister, pleading with him to stay. “No, my master,” said the minister. “One should not continue in the same work forever. One must know when to retire.”