The fragrance of orchids goes far, but the fragrance of character lasts a long time.
The definitive edition from the bestselling author of Oriental classics
How to live as a person who leaves a gentle and deep impression

Even among a crowd of people, there are people who leave a deep fragrance wherever they stay.
They evoke a gentle sentiment with deep thoughts and a broad mind.
He controls his inner self so that it is neither too much nor too little, and he attracts others with his careful yet bold words and actions.
This personality is revealed naturally, like the fragrance of an orchid, without any effort to decorate it.

'What kind of scent will you leave behind?'
Jo Yoon-je, a classic researcher and bestselling author of Oriental classics loved by 700,000 readers, has returned with “The Scent of a Person.”
After pondering the Four Books and Three Classics for a long time, he finally faced the question, 'What kind of person should I live as?'
The answer to this question was contained in the Four Books and Three Classics, the foundation of Eastern philosophy and a bestseller for a thousand years.
The Four Books and Three Classics, consisting of the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Changes, the Analects of Confucius, the Mencius, the Great Learning, and the Doctrine of the Mean, are practical guides that teach us insight into humanity and how to live.
The author has extracted sentences from the Four Books and Three Classics, a classic with a 3,000-year history, that will provide guidelines and direction for life.

“When the foundation exceeds the appearance, it becomes rough; when the appearance exceeds the foundation, it becomes formal.”_『The Analects of Confucius』
“A single word can ruin a great matter, but the power of one person can set a nation right.”_『The Great Learning』
“It is very strong because it is harmonious but not swept away.”_『The Doctrine of the Mean』

『The Scent of a Person』 contains all the teachings for those who want to live as a person of dignity.
It guides us on how to live like a human being, how to see the past and read the future, how to deal with fate and find opportunities even in hardship, how to continuously grow, and how to maintain balance without being biased.
Anyone who knows this and puts it into practice can be reborn as a person with a profound fragrance.
A truly noble person is one whose inner depth is revealed on the outside.
This book will help you add depth to your life and fill your inner strength.
If you want to be someone who leaves a lasting impression, someone who evokes a gentle sentiment without trying, now is the time to add fragrance to your life.
In a contemporary era where there are no adults with profound character worthy of emulation, "The Scent of a Person" will become a new standard for a dignified life.

A person's character is likened to the fragrance of a flower.
It spreads out gently and naturally, like the fragrance of a flower.
But there is a difference between the two.
The scent of a person spreads farther than the scent of a flower, which pleases only those right next to it.
A person of character and virtue has a positive influence on those around him, and that positive influence spreads through him to people thousands of miles away.
Another difference is that when flowers wither, their fragrance fades, but the fragrance of a person lasts a lifetime.
The fragrance of a person who learns, practices, and reflects in daily life becomes stronger with each passing day.
--- From "Preface - The scent of a person of character never fades"

Life is not smooth.
The same goes for people who live a smooth life.
When people are in trouble, they complain and lament their situation.
Even when we enjoy wealth and success, life is still futile.
Many people live a life like a ghost because they feel empty and hollow.
What I need to do then is to know the meaning and significance of my life.
Although we are just bloody beings thrown into the world without any intention of our own, it is we who make our lives meaningful.
--- From "Chapter 1 - Which direction should I walk from now on?"

We must acknowledge our own limitations and put aside the idea that we can overcome anything through willpower or effort.
When emotions and desires are running high, it would be good to take a moment to reflect, to step back from yourself and observe.
Taking a step back means briefly separating yourself from your emotions.
And it is to cool down the heart that is boiling with greed for a moment.
If you can step back and look at your emotions objectively rather than identifying with them, you can gain a somewhat more objective perspective on them.
You can see yourself in an embarrassing state, overcome with emotion.
--- From "Chapter 2 - How Much Better Will Tomorrow Be Than Today"

Greed and anger are two of the most difficult emotions to overcome.
Because it is closest to instinct.
It is no exaggeration to say that the scholars of old constantly studied and cultivated themselves in order to control their emotions of greed and anger.
We who live today also suffer many hardships due to greed and anger.
Many times, life is ruined by momentary anger and greed.
It's hard to overcome on your own, so you have no choice but to try.
When you are caught up in greed and anger, it is a habit to stop for a moment, think, take time alone, and reflect on yourself.
Humans can most deeply realize their own existence not when they are swept up in passion, but when they pause for a moment.
--- From "Chapter 3 - How to Change Beyond Given Conditions"

“A gentleman is calm and generous, but a mean man is always worried.” The reason a mean man is worried is because the desires in his heart are not fulfilled.
When you are poor, you are always tormented by the desire to become rich, and even when you become rich, you are tormented by the greed to have more wealth.
Even if I have it, I am always anxious and afraid, worried that I might lose what I have.
Even when I look at other people, I can't help but feel suspicious because I think, 'Is that person trying to steal my money?'
Human relationships can't be good either.
The reason a gentleman is peaceful and generous is because he is not influenced by his environment.
Even if you don't have much, you are content with yourself, and when you have a lot, you are always happy to give and share.
Because what we pursue is not material things but the Tao, we can live a life of ‘contentment and happiness.’
--- From "Chapter 4 - What Makes a Person Human"

When a good opportunity comes, everyone tries to seize it somehow.
But we often forget whether what we are doing is right or appropriate.
It's because I don't want to miss that opportunity.
And in order to achieve their goals, there are cases where legitimate procedures and processes are ignored and illegal or fraudulent practices are used.
It is a matter of bending oneself.
If you compromise for immediate gains or small desires, you may gain small benefits right away.
But the bigger things, the truly precious things, are lost.
The saying 'small greed leads to great loss' describes exactly that.
I lose the precious meaning and value of my life as I try to follow the right path, and I lose the trust of those around me.
--- From "Chapter 5 - What Do People Who Overcome Hardships Seek in a Crisis"

To deceive others is to harm them, but to deceive yourself is to harm yourself.
Doing evil when you know what is good, committing illegal or fraudulent acts to achieve your goals, and lying to others instead of admitting your wrongdoings are all acts of self-deception.
Mencius said:
“You can avoid disasters from heaven, but you cannot survive disasters you create yourself.” If you have an ideal you desire and a purpose you want to achieve, you must follow the right path.
The root of it is being honest with yourself.
A person who is not true to himself cannot be true to anything.
Because existence itself is hypocrisy.
--- From “Chapter 6 - What Makes People Who Grow While Having Fun Different”

Being faithful to one's duties and not being swayed here and there is the virtue of 'moderateness'.
In the test, the country was used as an example, but the conduct of individuals is also the same.
The way of the mean is to fulfill one's duty without going overboard or underdoing it, depending on one's situation and circumstances.
It is written in the Doctrine of the Mean:
“If you are rich, you do what you can from a rich position; if you are poor, you do what you can from a poor position.
“If you are in the position of a barbarian, do what you have to do in that position. If you are in trouble, do what you have to do in the midst of it.” No matter what you are doing now or what the situation is, if you do your best, you will definitely learn something from it.
And if you have bigger dreams and ideals, you can take one step further toward them.

--- From "Chapter 7 - Why You Shouldn't Do Too Much or Too Little"