From: Zhao Ying's Biography of Wei Zhi in the Old Tang Dynasty at the end of Jin Dynasty: "With copper as a mirror, you can dress your clothes; Taking history as a mirror, we can know the rise and fall; Take people as a mirror, you can know the gains and losses. I have kept these three mirrors in case I pass by. "
Using copper as a mirror can straighten clothes; Taking the past dynasties as a mirror, we can know the truth of the country's prosperity; Take people as a mirror, you can understand your own gains and losses. I often keep these three mirrors in case of mistakes.
This is how Emperor Taizong and Li Shimin felt after Wei Zhi's death.
Extended data
Anecdotal allusions
Listening is dark, listening is bright.
On one occasion, Emperor Taizong asked Wei Zhi, "Why are some people wise and others fatuous in history?" Wei Zhi said: "It is wise to listen to opinions from all sides; If you only listen to one-sided words, you will be fatuous. " He also cited the historical examples of Yao, Shun, He and said: "If the ruler who rules the world can adopt the following opinions, then his feelings can be realized, and his cronies can fool as much as they want."
Emperor Taizong nodded again and again and said, "You speak very well!" Another day, after reading the anthology, Emperor Taizong said to the ministers around him, "I think he is a man of great knowledge. He also knows how to make good use of Yao and Shun, but he is not good at solving the problem. Why is it so ridiculous to do something wrong? "
Wei Zhi said: "An emperor cannot rely on his wisdom and knowledge, but he should also listen to the opinions of his officials with an open mind. Emperor Yang Di thought he was talented, proud and confident. He said what he said and did what he did. Later, he got confused and killed himself. "