A great person is large-hearted or magnanimous

A great person is large-hearted or magnanimous

This phrase is used to describe a person who is broad-minded and tolerant.

1. Wang Anshi's version from the Northern Song Dynasty (the most widely circulated folk joke)

The Northern Song Dynasty Wang Anshi Version (the most widely circulated folk joke)

During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi (1021-1086) faced opposition to his new policies and resigned from his position as prime minister, living in seclusion in Jinling (present-day Nanjing).

Wang Anshi lost his wife in middle age and married the talented 18-year-old Jiao Niang as a concubine. Due to his busy political career, he was often away from home.

Lonely, Jiao Niang developed a secret crush on a young servant in the mansion.

He kept it a secret, but observed the man for several days and discovered that he came early in the morning and returned late in the evening, behaving in a well-behaved manner.

On Mid-Autumn Festival night, Wang Anshi hosted a family dinner during which he penned a poem alluding to this incident:

"The sun rises in the east and turns due east; crows don't caw, but bamboo poles poke. Flowers embrace cotton silkworms as they sleep, leaving dried ginger outside the door to listen."

Jiao Niang, hearing the hidden meaning, knelt down and wrote a poem in reply, begging for forgiveness:

"The sun rises in the east and turns due south; you've been saying this for a year now; sir, please don't be offended by a villain; a prime minister has a heart as big as a boat."

Wang Anshi didn't punish her, but instead gifted her a thousand taels of silver, allowing Jiao Niang to marry a servant and leave.

After this incident became public, scholars used the metaphor "a prime minister has a heart as big as a boat," referring to his high official position (the prime minister was the head of all officials) and praising his broad mind (the ability to accommodate the boat).

2. Jiang Wan's version of the Three Kingdoms (the "official" source that can be verified in historical books)

Jiang Wan's Three Kingdoms Version (the "official" source verifiable in historical records)

During the Jianxing period of the Shu Han Dynasty, Yang Xi was introverted and only responded without answering questions during meetings.

Jiang Wan replied with a smile, "If Yang Xi had praised me publicly, it would have been against his nature; if he had reprimanded me to my face, it would have embarrassed me. Therefore, his silence is precisely his valuable quality." He did not pursue the matter further.

Throughout Shu Han, the people admired Jiang Wan's generosity. The phrase "a prime minister with a broad mind" spread, and was cited in Pei's commentary on "The Biography of Jiang Wan in the Records of the Three Kingdoms" as an example of "magnanimity and noble character."

This story teaches us that narrow-mindedness rarely achieves great things. Only by forgiving mistakes and being open-minded can one earn respect and trust.

Only a broad mind can support a large ship and, ultimately, a life of purpose.