Advice should be as sharp as a knife cutting water.

 　　Persuading others is both a science and an art. The way and method of persuasion are very important. Good persuasion makes the person being persuaded happy, and the persuader feels proud; conversely, bad persuasion makes the person being persuaded unhappy, ungrateful, or even resentful, or leads to confrontation, and the persuader loses face and regrets getting involved.

　　A while ago, it was reported that a doctor advised an elderly person not to smoke in an elevator. The elderly person not only ignored the advice but also became angry, resulting in a fatal heart attack. The family was outraged and sued the doctor, who was ordered to pay compensation. Of course, the doctor, as a physician, was acting out of compassion, recognizing the health risks of smoking, and also out of public concern, knowing that smoking in public places is harmful to others. The result was a well-intentioned but ultimately harmful act; one person paid compensation, and the other lost their life—it seems somewhat unfair.

　　Of course, we shouldn't dwell on who was right and who was wrong. The doctor's sense of public morality is understandable, and the elderly person's ingrained habits are difficult to change overnight. The key lies in the method and art of persuasion. If both sides are rigid and unwilling to yield, then words of advice are like the Dragon-Slaying Saber striking the Heaven-Reliant Sword—a clash of swords resulting in mutual destruction, the saber breaking and the sword broken. However, if we change our perspective, using gentleness to overcome rigidity, employing subtle force to deflect a greater force, and transforming rigidity into flexibility, then

　　a tragedy neither side desires can be avoided. The story of "Chu Long Persuades the Queen Dowager of Zhao" recounts that shortly after the Queen Dowager of Zhao assumed power, the Qin state intensified its attacks on Zhao, prompting Zhao to seek help from the Qi state. Qi, however, insisted on providing Chang'an Jun as a hostage before sending troops. The Queen Dowager, doting on her son, naturally refused, threatening to spit on anyone who mentioned the matter again. Having reached this point, further forceful remonstrance would only be inviting trouble. Chu Long's remonstrance was highly artistic. He didn't condemn the Empress Dowager Zhao from a national perspective, but instead suggested she consider Chang'an Jun's long-term development from a mother's point of view. He subtly pointed out that her refusal to send Chang'an Jun as a hostage wasn't out of love for her son, but rather would ruin his life. This touched the Empress Dowager's heart, finally leading her to agree to send Chang'an Jun as a hostage.

　　Perhaps the doctor's words were too harsh, like a steel knife, hurting deeply, resulting in an undesirable outcome. Chu Long's words, like a soft knife, struck the Empress Dowager's most vulnerable spot, ultimately changing her initial mind.

　　There's a saying in *Cai Gen Tan*: "A colorful brush paints the sky, yet the brush doesn't leave color, and the sky remains unstained; a sharp knife cuts water, yet the knife doesn't lose its edge, and the water leaves no trace." Understanding this principle for conduct and worldly affairs allows one to respond appropriately to situations, forgetting both mind and environment. Advice is generally unpleasant, like a steel knife, inevitably leading to setbacks. However, if we persuade others with the skill and tact of cutting water with a sharp knife, then we can avoid harming ourselves while benefiting others. Wouldn't that be a better approach?

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