Preface: "Old Futures": Finding a New Path to the Future in Classics

Part 1: The Momentum That Changed My Life

Chapter 1: The Aesthetics of Reverse Thinking
A life lived like water is beautiful | The highest good is like water
Delicious food spoils the mouth | Omigusang
Helping can be harmful | Helping to pull out seedlings
Going backwards is the right answer | The movement of the reverse path
The valley never dries up in a drought | The valley god never dies
It's hard for a smart person to look foolish | Nandeukhodo
Seeking comfort will make your body unhealthy | 攝生
Your heart is my heart | The impermanence of a saint
Too many words often lead to trouble | Too many words often lead to trouble
The wind envies the heart | Pungryunsim
A smart merchant doesn't offer good goods | Heart Medicine Heo (深藏若虛)
If you turn small fish too often, they won't be edible. | Yakpengso-seon (若烹小鮮)
Emptying yourself daily is the way to cultivate the Way. | 爲道日損
Life is about using it well | Use
Going back is going forward | Heaven and Earth
Don't interfere in the name of love! | Heaven and Earth are not benevolent
The person who is praised is in danger! | The Supreme Being
Great things begin small | Piljak-eo-se
Downstream is the answer | A great nation is downstream
Dragon's Tears | Hangryongyuhoe
Why Chaos Is More Beautiful Than Order | Chaos
Dim the Glow and Meet the World's Eye Level! | Hwagwangdongjin
The best fighting cock is the wooden chicken | The virtue of the wooden chicken

Chapter 2: Mind Management
Good Neighbor Premium | 10 Million Marin
Umbrella wasn't originally a bare mountain | Umbrella tree
The utmost sincerity never rests | The utmost sincerity never rests
Without lips, teeth become cold | Sunmangchihan
A heart that cannot bear to see the misfortune of others | A heart that cannot bear to see the misfortune of others
If you become a brawler, you will lose the world. | Violence and anger are precepts
Ethics and morals emerge only when there is food | Hangsanhangsim
A hero knows when to cry | Heroes Know When to Cry
Pursuing righteousness breeds a spirit of generosity | A spirit of generosity
Maintain balance by purifying your mind! | Simjae
Confucian Noblesse Oblige | The Worries of the End
Without trust, there is no existence | Without trust, there is no standing
A Wine-Brewing Village on the Silk Road | Jucheon Wine Spring
What if you hear the Tao in the morning? | Jomun Doseok Sa-ga's "You can hear the Tao in the morning and die in the evening"
If we unite, we will survive | When Heaven's timing is not as good as human harmony
Don't do to others what you don't want done to you! | Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.
Mencius's Theory of a Happy Life | The Three Joys of Life
No one can oppose a virtuous person | A virtuous person has no enemies
Virtue is greater than law | Government is virtue
The Age of Forty | Unwavering Mind
A Poet's Little Happiness | General Purity
When the waters of the Changrang River are muddy, I will wash my feet! | Fisherman's Note

Chapter 3: Change and Innovation
There is no eternal victory | Victory that never returns
Know when to advance and when to retreat | Deokmi-iwijon (德微而位尊)
Why There Are No Customers at the Bar | The Trouble of a Fierce Dog
The Enlightenment of the Habaek, the God of the Yellow River | The Frog at the Well Bottom
The Man Who Became a General by Selling a Medicine That Doesn't Work | The Medicine That Doesn't Work
Mount Tai does not refuse a single grain of soil | Mount Tai does not refuse a single grain of soil
A good swimmer drowns | A good swimmer drowns
March with the Little Snake! | The Snake of the Swamp
If you want to catch a new rabbit, prepare new food! | Sujudaeto
A great vessel is never finished | Daegimanseong
When superiors and subordinates humble each other, peace will reign. | 지천태地天泰
Freedom of movement, survival is the key | Vertical and horizontal, vertical and horizontal
I want to go home in the evening | Mosquito Ears
A true gentleman is one who changes three times | The Three Changes of a Gentleman
Look at your prey with the eyes of a tiger! | Hositamtam
A gentleman should not be a single vessel | A gentleman should not be a vessel
Even hunting has its own principles | Wanggi Miyun Neungjik-in
Fleeing fifty or a hundred paces is the same | Fifty or a hundred paces is the same
Dongsi Hyobin, who became a eavesdropper by following the West Poetry | Dongsi Hyobin
The clever rabbit has three holes | Kyoto Sangul
The Overreach of Authority by the Hat Manager | The Misfortune of Exceeding Officials
Break the bad old habits! | 革舊習

Chapter 4: Adversity is Competitiveness
When you're desperate, you'll find a way out! | When you're desperate, you'll find a way out!
Even if it hurts, cut out my flesh! | The Bitter Meat Plan
Borrow someone else's body and come back to life! | Chasihwanhon (Borrow a Corpse and Return Your Soul)
When you see a crisis, act with your life at stake! | 見危授命
The gentleman retreats, and only the mean man gains! | Heaven and Earth are in denial
Create something out of nothing! | Nothingness creates something
Good jade isn't made overnight | Polishing the jade
The movement of heaven never ceases | Self-strengthening and ceaseless
The golden cicada must shed its shell to be born | Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell
I Reflect on Three Things a Day | Oil Samsung
The plum tree sacrifices itself in place of the peach tree | Lee Dae-do-gang
Writing is competitiveness | Mujiiwiyong
Standing alone, I will be fearless! | Standing alone, I will be fearless!
The heart that rebukes others for their mistakes | The heart that criticizes others
Be slow in speech and quick in action! | 訥言敏行
The Three Misfortunes of Life | The Three Misfortunes of Life
Make the water cloudy to catch fish.
Lure them to the roof, then remove the ladder! | Sangokchuje
Let gorgeous flowers bloom on the trees! | Tree-topped flowers
A rolling stone gathers no moss | Ban-gaek-wi-ju
Running away is the best policy | Running away is the best policy
The best butcher doesn't look with his eyes | Pojeonghaewoo?
Do your best to acquire talent! | Ichimoku Sanchak

Chapter 5: Win with Strategy
Go out at a time the other person doesn't intend! | 出其不意
War is about seeking victory first.
If you are prepared to die, you will die. If you are prepared to die, you will die.
Borrow someone else's knife and strike your opponent! | Borrowed Knife Murder
The sum of 3 and 4 is 7 | 朝三暮四
Succeed with a thick face and a dark heart! | Juan Heuksim
Five Laws of Victory | The Way of Heaven and Earth
To seize the initiative, throw away your profits! | The enemy is the greatest advantage
Don't seek honor when deciding to attack! | Jinbulgumyung
Don't fight unless it's a crisis! | Biwibujeon
Is Another's Misfortune My Happiness? | Evolutionary Kap? Fire Strikes Kap
If you want to catch, let go first! | 欲擒故縱
War is a game of deception | The Path of the Soldier
The most useful thing is the useless thing! | The useless thing is the useful thing
Going back is faster than going straight! | 우직지계迂直之計
Shout to the east, attack to the west! | Shout to the east, attack to the west
Trying to draw a tiger, I ended up drawing a dog | 畵虎畵狗
There are places you must not attack | There are places you must not attack
Seven Analysis for Victory | Seven Strategies
Even the king's orders can be refused | Gunryeongyusobulsu
Pretend to be foolish, but don't be crazy! | Fake ignorance is not being crazy

Part 2: Momentum to Look Back on My Life

Chapter 1: The Taste of Life
Eight Flavors to Complete Your Life | The Eight Flavors of Life
Don't respond to everything! | Don't respond to everything!
A friend who supports you in times of need | A friend in times of need
Meet someone with the same sound! | Homologous Correspondence
Don't rob yourself of the opportunity to learn for money | The Etiquette of Receiving a Gift
Learn from Dasan Seonsaeng's "Maejodo Spirit"! | Maejodo
Treat everyone you meet like a "great guest"! | Daebin
Don't confront someone who has given up on learning! | The Wall of Non-Learning
Respect others, but keep your distance! | Respect but keep your distance
Find and practice the right way of moderation for your situation! | The Way of the Middle Ages
Don't chase what's going away, don't stop what's coming! | Wangjabulchu (往者不追)
There are many ways to hide | The Great Hidden Secret
Things to Consider When Choosing a Career | Poet
Asking is competitive | Homun
A friend who is good no matter what | A close friend who is not a traitor
If you accumulate virtue, many people will help you.
Don't lose your respect even after a long time! | Gui-gyeong-ji
The road is not in the mountains | The way is not far from the person
A marriage lasts long only if it's good | Geumseul
Forgiveness and tolerance from superiors have great power | A feast of unwavering love
Filial piety is carrying on and developing one's parents' will. | Gyejisulsa
When my brother is hurt, I am hurt too | 外禦其侮
Be extra careful when giving advice to brothers! | Brother Yi-Yi
How you age is more important than how long you live | Longevity brings many insults
A thorny tongue, cotton-like words | A wounded person's words
How to Never Miss a Talent | Hoseonmangse (好善忘勢)
Love is not one-sided | The Way of the Horse
Zhuangzi, who became a butterfly in his dream | The Butterfly Dream

Chapter 2: How to Think Wisely
A gentleman is more cautious and careful when alone | 愼獨
A wise bird chooses a tree to build its nest | Yanggeumtaekmok
Beware of Beautiful Leather | Skin is a Disaster
Avoid learning for show! | Wigijihak (爲己之學)
Ability actually makes life difficult | Ability makes life difficult
A mind that is unshaken in any situation | Self-acquisition
What if you bend one cubit and straighten eight? | Wangcheokjiksim (枉尺直尋)
People gather around a beautiful woman even when she is still. | It is said that a beautiful woman does not go out and is sought after by many people.
A gentleman does not seek windfalls | Geoisamyeong (居易俟命)
Don't fool yourself even more when you're alone! | 獨處無自欺
Wear silk clothes and wear a plain robe over them! | Ui Geum Sang Gyeong (衣錦尙絅)
Pleasure should not become excessive and obscene | Pleasure should not become obscene
Knowing contentment means not being humiliated | Knowing contentment means not being humiliated
The next level of happiness is Kwaijok | Kwaijok (快足)
Three Questions to Reflect on Life | Silence?
Sincerity and Patience Are the Answer | Every Day is Like Three Autumns
Don't be crushed by morning worries! | The troubles of the morning
I live when others abandon me | Inkigachui
Knowing what comes first is the path to enlightenment | Knowing what comes first
People expand their abilities | Inneung Hongdo
A scholar is someone who respects the will | Sangji
The Great Sound of Integration and Convergence | Collection of Works
How to Become a Freshman Today | Daily Cheonghan
Six Incurable Diseases That Even Meditation Can't Cure | Yukbulchi
Four Secrets to Wealth | The Four Commandments of Wealth

Chapter 3: The Power of Positivity
A gorgeous flower blooming in adversity | The Lonely Minister
When water flows and meets a puddle, it fills up and flows again. | Yeonggwahujin
A whirlwind cannot blow all morning | 飄風不終朝
If you abandon me, you will eventually gain me | Musaseongsa
If I fly, I will surely fly high in the sky | Bipilchungcheon飛必?天
Stay hungry! Stay foolish! | Death of a dead fish
Throw yourself into a place where you will inevitably perish! | Throw yourself into a place of destruction
If you seek, you will receive; if you throw away, you will lose. | If you seek, you will receive.
Heaven gives before entrusting a great task | Heaven gives before entrusting a great task
First things first | Urgent matters first
Burn the boat after crossing the water! | Jeha Bunju
The pain of having one's intestines cut off | The pain of having one's intestines cut off
I will return, raising dust. | I will return, raising dust.
Dream freely like a dragon flying in the sky! | Biryongjaecheon (飛龍在天)
When two become one, their sharpness cuts even iron | Two People of the Same Heart
Don't be afraid of the snake in the glass! | The Snake in the Glass
Don't act rashly, be as cautious as a mountain! | Mulryeongmangdong
Don't be swayed by praise or criticism! | Seek the whole world's destruction
Diseases should be treated at an early stage | It is better to treat a disease at the right time than to treat it at the right time.
Be more cautious and vigilant where others can't see you! | Eunmi
In that village, follow the village's rules | Entering the village and following the village's customs
Hearing with the ears is not as good as seeing with the eyes.
Never give up on something once you've made up your mind! | Kijeong
You can't kill a tiger with your bare hands | Jeonjeonggeunggeung
A Hero Emerges from Crisis | Juboknaegyeonseonyu

Chapter 4: The less greed you have, the greater your happiness.
A white background is essential for a beautiful painting. | Company Huso
Without sincerity, there is no existence | Without sincerity, there is no existence
What is my real worry in life? | OuWuWu
To preserve your body, avoid honor! | A stolen reputation is not as good as a stolen treasure.
Bow when you hear good advice! | Bow when you declare good advice
Even if you cover your ears, you can still hear the bell.
The Three Precepts of a Gentleman | The Three Precepts of a Gentleman
Heal your wounds with the clear energy of dawn! | The energy of a peaceful day
Happiness increases as greed decreases | Less greed
Beware the Temptation of a "One Room"! | A Journalist Won't Stand
Don't blame heaven, don't blame others! | Don't blame heaven, don't blame others!
Hold Yourself Accountable First! | Bangujeosin
Persuade others with unspoken teachings! | The Teaching of Unspoken Teachings
Don't even scold a dog in front of guests | Don't scold a dog in front of guests
Don't talk too much when drunk | Don't talk too much when drunk
Choose your best and push forward with perseverance! | Choose your best and stick with it!
Something I must always keep in my heart | Kwon Kwon Bok-eung
Five Observation Methods for Discovering Talent | Osibeop
Don't be a 'teacher', be a 'student'! | Don't be ashamed to ask questions below.
A hunter who knows the Tao doesn't shoot a sleeping bird.
Great virtue does not appear to be virtuous | Great virtue is not virtuous
The strong will not end well | 강량자부득기사强梁者不得其死
He who fights and conquers himself is truly strong.
If you attack me because I'm different, it will come back to you as a loss | Attacking is different
If you have virtue, money will accumulate | Deokbonjaemal (德本財末)
Heaven is on the side of the good | The Way of Heaven is Without Friendship
It all depends on your mindset | Jeongsim

From ancient wisdom to the path of creation, just 3 minutes.
The wisdom of 2,000 years of Eastern classics, conveyed by Professor Park Jae-hee, an Eastern philosopher.

A classical philosopher who broke the stereotypes that were perceived as old and difficult, and made them easy and clear, captivating everyone from teenagers to CEOs with the charm of Eastern classics.
A national medal that captivated the entire nation by sparking a craze for reading classics, from the Four Books and Five Classics to the Hundred Schools of Thought.
This is Professor Park Jae-hee.
His masterpiece, “3 Minute Classic,” has been revised and supplemented to fit the new era and published as a new edition.
Professor Park Jae-hee, an Oriental philosopher with both a solid academic foundation and popular appeal, has passionately shared the insights and wisdom of Oriental classics with the public not only through his university lectures but also through EBS's "The Art of War," KBS's "Morning Plaza," and Samsung Economic Research Institute's Seri Cio.
Modern interpretations that transcend time and space, and practical wisdom that kills with a single sharp point, led to the 'Classical Renaissance.'
The book that led to that first start, “3 Minute Classic,” has been reborn after a long wait from readers.
It has changed into new clothes to reflect the changes of the new era and meet a new generation.


From the spirit of the protagonist facing a crisis
Even the philosophy of happiness that Lao Tzu left for future generations
A classic book to keep by your side for a lifetime

This book is divided into nine chapters on topics such as coping with change and innovation, the art of interpersonal relationships, the aesthetics of reverse thinking, how to control the mind, how to savor the flavor of life, and how to reduce greed.
The 216 stories in this book answer questions about what values ​​remain unchanged over time and provide momentum for changing and reflecting on one's life.
To meet the power of the classics, the power of 3 minutes, that can help you manage yourself, manage people, and even manage the future, once again, the 3-minute classic!

Wisdom to Know When to Show and When to Hide, Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian
It is said that a smart merchant hides good goods deep and pretends they do not exist (心藏若虛).
If you show off your precious possessions to others often, they are no longer yours.
Therefore, intellectuals with truly great character and learning act outwardly as if they are naive and do not show off their abilities carelessly.
Nowadays, it is an era where one can show off one's own greatness.
They generously share what company they work for, where they live, and what kind of car they drive.
But we should look back and see if we are losing our true selves in the pursuit of showing off our greatness.
Because it is the way to not lose myself and to set the fundamentals straight.

◆ The Eye for True Usefulness, 《Zhuangzi》
This is a fable that appears in the “Human World” section of the “Zhuangzi.” It tells of a crooked and hollow tree that was useless for building a house or making a coffin, so it was abandoned. However, because of its uselessness, it grew into a large tree.
Uselessness has become useful (uselessness becomes useless).
The boundary between usefulness and uselessness, as judged by human standards, can never be absolute.
Just as we may not immediately receive attention but will eventually demonstrate our talents, the things around us, our children, and our companies may not produce visible results right away.
The wisdom of reverse thinking is another important value pursued by this book.

◆ A mind that knows how to reflect on itself, 《Myeongsimbogam》
Even the most foolish person has an accurate eye for finding fault in others.
Humans are usually generous to themselves and strict to others.
However, the "Myeongsimbogam" says that the opposite should be true.
'Criticize yourself with the same heart you would criticize others! Forgive others with the same heart you would forgive yourself!' This can be seen as the way of a gentleman.
This is a saying that is absolutely necessary in this age of hypocrisy.
By providing momentum for self-reflection in this way, it guides us to practice the basic human principles and morality.


◆ A leader who leads people, 《Tao Te Ching》
Leadership is also a fundamental element of humanity and is one of the topics that is heavily covered in “The 3-Minute Classic.”
Lao Tzu has been emphasizing the leadership of non-action for thousands of years.
Here, inaction does not mean passively doing nothing, but rather actively creating an atmosphere where members take the initiative.
‘Governing a great country is like cooking a small fish’ is a phrase from Chapter 60 of the Tao Te Ching, which means “A leader who governs a great country is like cooking a small fish.”
That means the worst way to cook small fish is to flip them over on high heat, and they will cook perfectly when left to cook on their own.
It is the inaction that makes small fish cook properly.


The secret to a manager seeking change, innovation, and strategy!
A must-read for young people who need momentum and wisdom in life!

Why is "The 3-Minute Classic" so beloved by business leaders and young people? First, it brings together the inner strength of the Analects, Tao Te Ching, and The Art of War.
It is a rich and broad commentary on human history based on the wisdom of life and fundamental principles of life gleaned from dozens of classics.
Second, we organized the pronunciation of key Chinese characters in quotes from Eastern classics to provide learning opportunities for young people.
At the same time, the text and concluding sentences, which contain modern insights, helped me break free from my narrow perspective and look at life in a broader way.
Third, by illuminating the minds shaken by anxiety with the wisdom of the classics, it suggests the path that leaders, organizations, companies, and nations should take.
It's a chaotic modern society.
It is time for the old future, for the wisdom of the classics to guide us.
Even after two thousand years, you will discover why classics are a beacon of light for life and a guidepost for a new path forward.