¹Gim Gap-chil often behaved childishly or obstinately toward Sangjenim, but Sangjenim would merely calm him and uplift his understanding. But since Sangjenim never chastised him, Gap-chil’s behavior worsened.

²One day, Hyeong-ryeol became furious and rebuked Gap-chil, “How could there ever be such a wretch!”

³Sangjenim counseled Hyeong-ryeol, “Your speech and conduct are not yet free of harshness, so there is still poisonous qi in your words.” Sangjenim continued:

⁴惡將除去無非草요 好取看來總是花니라
오장제거무비초 호취간래총시화
Hated and cut away,
none are anything but weeds.
Admired and accepted,
all are flowers.

⁵He then declared, “Words are the voice of the mind; behavior is the reflection of the mind.⁶Kind words grow into blessings which blossom into ever greater blessings that eventually envelop you, while harsh words grow into misfortunes which deepen into ever greater misfortunes that eventually envelop you.”