The Way of Heaven is formidable.

 When you look at today’s charismatic entrepreneurs and business leaders, while they are undeniably exceptional in terms of competence and ability, many also stand out for their arrogance and ruthlessness toward others. As the philosopher Ito Jinsai once said, nothing is more saddening than witnessing people act without compassion. If an employee makes even a minor slip-up and incurs their wrath, it’s an instant "You're fired!" They fail to consider that the employee is a human being—someone with a life, a family, feelings, and pride. In short, they view themselves as gods. But they are false gods; a true god is compassionate.

Employees are human, after all, so mistakes are inevitable. You would think the approach would be to guide and nurture them, wouldn't you? But because these leaders are so exceptionally capable, everyone else likely looks like a fool to them. They simply don't understand the feelings of others.

Yet, ruthlessness and arrogance are the very things that grieve God, the Buddha, and the Way of Heaven the most. And in the end, those who embody these traits meet their ruin—just like Oda Nobunaga (16th century's Japan's Champion) . Come to think of it, don't all these charismatic business leaders seem a bit like Nobunaga?

Incidentally, compassion and humility are virtues taught by every religion without exception.

"I shall not disparage you, for you are destined to become Buddhas."

A figure like the Bodhisattva Never Disparaging (*Fukyo Bosatsu*) would be instantly fired by a charismatic business leader. I’d be fired immediately too—though, in reality, I probably wouldn't get hired in the first place.

And because the world operates on the law of cause and effect, those who fire others will ultimately find themselves "fired" by Heaven.

The Way of Heaven is a force to be reckoned with.

This isn't just my opinion; it is a view shared by Confucian scholars and anyone well-versed in history—Arai Hakuseki included.

Guided by love and compassion

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