《菜根谭》是明朝还初道人洪应明收集编著的一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录集，为旷古稀世的奇珍宝训。对于人的正心修身、养性育德，有不可思议的潜移默化的力量

处治世宜方，处乱世宜圆，处叔季之世当方圆并用；待善人宜宽，待恶人宜严，待庸众之人当宽严互存。

In an era of peace, one needs to be "square", which means being strict and upright. In an era of turmoil, one needs to be "rounded", which means being flexible and tactful. When the state is rapidly declining, one needs to be both "square" and "round". In dealing with good people, one should be tolerant; in dealing with bad people, one should be strict. In dealing with people in general, one needs to be both tolerant and strict.