When I felt frustrated, I always tell to myself: Life is poor and hard for me; still, I should endure such a dull and lonely life, enrich myself and try to be creative, finally reach my goal. Su Qin teaches me that a man should not complain but strive for success when he is in a desperate plight.

Su Qin was a tactician during the Warring States Period about 2300 years ago. At first, he canvassed King Hui of Qin(秦惠王), asking him to swallow up other principalities. However, the king refused Su's suggestions and excused for himself by saying that Kingdom Qin was not mighty enough. Thus Su had to go back home with a haggard face. His family members were contemptuous of him, his wife refused to sew the clothes for him, and his brother's wife refused to cook for him, and his parents refused to talk to him.
If I were Su Qin, I must bitterly resent them. However, Su didn't do that, sighing, "my wife doesn't regard me as her husband, and Sister-in-law doesn't regard me as her brother-in-law, and parents don't regard me as their son. I am to blame for that! 妻不以我為夫，嫂不以我為叔，父母不以我為子，是皆秦之罪也！（戰國策·秦策一）

Then he devoted himself to thinking and learning. But sometimes he felt awfully tired when reading and wanted to go to sleep. He knew that he should not relax, so he kept his spirit up by pricking his thighs with an awl. As the blood flew to his feet, he said, "Isn't there anyone who canvassed the rulers can not be wealthy and honorable?"

After finishing his study, he went to King of Zhao, who was very pleased with Su's learned wisdom and gave him a title of Marquis. He thrived to be prime minister of six powerful states as a popular politician among the principalities.

When he passed by his hometown one day, his parents cleaned the roads and prepared a dinner to welcome him. His wife and sister-in-law also served him in a humble and reverent way. Su asked his sister-in-law, "Why do you treat me reverently unlike before?" she answered, "because you have a senior position and so much money." Su then said, "your family will ignore you if you are poor, while will reverence you if you are rich and noble!"

Of course, compared with great sages like Confucius and Mencius, Su seemed relatively insignificant. However, I appreciated his assiduity and frankness. I hope that when I feel frustrated or desperate in the future, especially when going into the social stage and playing my part, I can work as hard as him, and have a mind as equal as him. Then I am certain I can success!

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