The Monk VIII -- Learn from All, but Stay Aware of their Flaws

Once, there was a Monk who lived near the kingdom. He often told his disciples the story of a King — King Lear. Yes, King Lear of William Shakespeare.

He had three daughters. He asked them, "Who loves me the most?"

The elder two daughters said big, sweet words. They praised him, flattered him, said what he wanted to hear. The King was happy.

The youngest daughter, I didn't remember her name, loved him truly. But she spoke simply and honestly. She did not know how to perform her love. The King felt insulted and banished her.

Later, the kingdom fell. Those who flattered him betrayed him. The one who was honest was the only one who truly loved him.

The Monk closed the story and said, "This is the truth hidden behind minds."

Every mind has two faces. One that wants to be validated, and one that wants to hide its flaws. When we praise someone only to get something, we feed their first face. This is fake validation.

Nowadays people want success, but they don't want values.

They want to be seen as successful, not to be useful. They want followers, not character. They want quick praise, not slow wisdom.

And when a whole society starts chasing this fake validation, what happens? 

Chaos hidden behind the veil of civilized society...

Everyone becomes successful, but no one remains useful. That is how a society goes towards its doom.

The disciples asked, "Then how to live?"

The Monk said, "Learn from all, but stay aware of their flaws."

Learn from the elder daughters also — learn how beautifully they speak. But stay aware — their beauty is empty.

Learn from the youngest daughter also — learn how honest she is. But stay aware — the world may not understand honesty at once.

This awareness comes only when you study your own mind. Carl Jung called it the Shadow. Until you see your own hidden fears — the fear of being judged, of being watched, of being misunderstood — you will keep looking for fake validation outside.

A strong mind does not need to be understood by all. A weak mind is always afraid to be misunderstood.

So learn from every school of thought, every faith, every story — but do not become a blind follower of any trend. See the flaw, keep the light of wisdom inside.

"Only that's the way to remain free," the monk said not I.