Buy Virtue

There was a wealthy landowner in a rural region of northern Vietnam who was well-known for his riches. Despite his wealth and influence in the area, he was incredibly generous and kind-hearted.

After settling his accounts at the end of the year, he called his steward over. He handed him a stack of promissory notes and said, “Go to the neighboring villages and collect the debts for me. Then, with the money you collect, buy anything our household needs.”

The steward obeyed and left. Whenever he arrived at a village where people owed money, he would gather them and say, “It’s the end of the year, and my master has a message: If you can pay, pay. If you can pay a little, pay a little. If you can pay a lot, pay it all. But for those who can’t pay, it’s alright. Starting today, my master will forgive the debts of those who are unable to pay.”

After saying this, he took out the promissory notes one by one, called each person, and asked how much they could pay. After receiving a portion, he burned the rest of the note. He then took the money he collected and distributed it to the poor and hungry people in the village.

When people asked him the reason in astonishment, he simply replied, “This is my master’s order.”

Everyone was moved to tears, thanking and praising the master’s kind heart. The steward traveled to every village with debtors and did the same thing. When he was finished, he returned.

The master asked, “How did the work go?”

The steward replied, “Everything is finished, master!”

The master then asked, “What did you buy for me?”

The steward responded, “I only bought one thing for you, sir: Virtue.”

The landowner was a little surprised. He was silent in thought for a long time, then smiled and said, “That’s good, too. I trust that you are always wise. You may rest now.”

Many years later, war and disease broke out. The wealthy family’s household was also devastated, and the wife and children had to wander to other villages to make a living. But strangely, wherever they went, people reached out to help them with warmth and care. He quietly inquired and realized that it was because of the steward’s actions all those years ago.

He said to himself, “It’s a good thing he bought Virtue for me that year. If I had kept the money and possessions, I would have nothing left during such a time of crisis!”

Nowadays, people often think that keeping money close is the safest thing to do. But the wisdom of the ancients has proven that only Virtue can help people overcome hardships and receive long-lasting blessings.