What to Do When Encountering Contentious and Combative People

Endure him, yield to him, and in a few years see how he turns out; let him contend, let him fight, let him be first, let him be lofty—let him place all marks within his heart. But we must empty all marks—the emptier the better, the weaker the better, the more selfless the better. When the four marks are emptied and purified, with nothing to hang onto and nothing obstructing, the mind attains liberation—perpetual joy, self, and purity—more than enough to become a Buddha! In this way, in the end, who is first? Who wins? The wise act without contrivance; the foolish seek and crave!