溫故知新 Old wisdom, today’s insight — ONGO
How Often Should I Look Back on Myself?
Does a person stand upright by examining themselves each day?
Each day I examine myself on three points.
Confucius's disciple Zengzi asked himself three things each day: in working for others, did I give my full sincerity; in dealings with friends, did I keep faith; and did I practice what I was taught? He nailed self-examination down as a daily habit rather than an abstract idea. The same road opened in the West. The Stoic Seneca interrogated himself each night as if in a courtroom ("what fault did I mend today?"), and Marcus Aurelius wrote morning self-dialogues to prepare for the day in his Meditations. The methods differed — three points or a nightly trial — but East and West alike found the same rhythm: check yourself every day.
In an age when the day scatters into notifications and screens, three questions before sleep grow more precious.
📝I, Too, Stand Before It
I envy Zengzi's three questions. He decided in advance what to look back on. I often forget even to look back, and when I do, not knowing what to ask, I drift into vague regret before sleep. Three points or one — with a set question, examination becomes habit rather than mood. Tonight I too want to fix one question of my own. Before that small rhythm of daily self-review, I am only now beginning to stand.
✍️Your Answer
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