A wise and cultivated person remains undisturbed by slander, knowing that falsehoods eventually crumble before truth.
Consider this story: After Empress Wu Zetian appointed Di Renjie as her chancellor, she asked him, “When you governed Runan, you earned the people’s love, yet some slandered you. Do you wish to know who they are?” Di replied, “If Your Majesty considers those accusations my faults, I will correct them. If not, it is my great fortune. As for who spoke against me, I have no desire to know.” The empress praised him as a true sage.
Di’s response reveals a timeless truth: we need not defend ourselves against every whisper. Slander fades like mist; truth endures like stone. Instead of chasing the noise, focus on your own path. Time will reveal what is real.
Let us learn from Di Renjie: keep your heart steady, let rumors pass, and live with quiet dignity.