Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang's cottage three times. The first time, Zhuge Liang was away. The second time, he was still away. The third time, he was asleep. Liu Bei waited in the snow for hours, unwilling to wake him.
When Zhuge Liang finally rose and learned that the famous warlord Liu Bei had visited three times and stood in the cold, he was moved beyond words. He left his hermit's life and devoted the next twenty years to Liu Bei's cause — ultimately giving his own life in service.
由是先主遂诣亮，凡三往，乃见。
由是先主遂诣亮，凡三往，乃见。
Reflection & Analysis · 寓意解读
Core Wisdom
Sincerity is the most powerful form of persuasion. The one who humbles himself to seek wisdom will attract the wisest minds to his cause.
The three visits are the origin story of one of the most famous partnerships in Chinese history. Liu Bei's willingness to wait — in the snow, without complaint — convinced Zhuge Liang that this was a leader worth serving. The humility of the request was the proof of the requester's character.