The Fault of No Fault
Yanzi, prime minister of Qi, governed the state with great skill. A subordinate named Gao Liao served him for three years without making a single mistake. Yet Yanzi dismissed him. Perplexed, his advisors argued, "Gao Liao was obedient and blameless—surely he deserved promotion, not dismissal."
Yanzi replied, "I am like crooked wood, needing tools to shape me into something useful. My subordinates should be those tools, pointing out my flaws. But Gao Liao, in three years, never once corrected my errors. He only praised and agreed. No one is perfect. Constant flattery does not help me serve the king—it harms my work. His 'no fault' is itself the greatest fault."
Yanzi’s wisdom lies in valuing honest critics over yes-men. In life, if we hear only praise, we may be standing still. True growth comes from welcoming those who challenge us. Seek not blind agreement, but the voice that helps you become better.