During the Spring and Autumn period, Yan Ying was sent as an envoy to the state of Chu. The king of Chu, hoping to humiliate him, ordered the city gates closed and left only a small side door, calling it a “dog’s entrance.” Yan Ying smiled and said, “This gate is for dogs. Only those who visit a dog nation enter here. May I ask, is Chu a nation of dogs?” The guards were speechless, and the king had no choice but to open the main gate.
Yan Ying’s quiet wit preserved his dignity. His response teaches us a timeless lesson: how you respond to disrespect shapes how the world sees you. Anger is not the answer—clarity is.
In life, we may face narrow doors or low paths. But dignity is not about the entrance—it’s about the heart. If you respect yourself, the world will follow. Walk tall, even through small gates.