Three Key Techniques for Mind-Reading and Understanding Character: Five Perspectives, Seven Observations, and Six Verification Methods

In ancient China, three renowned methods for understanding and reading people can be encapsulated with the words "Five, Six, Seven." These are the "Five Observations" by Li Kui, a politician from the State of Wei during the Warring States period; the "Six Tests" by Lü Buwei from the Qin Dynasty; and the "Seven Observations" by Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms period. Let’s explore each of these methods in detail.

Throughout China's history, there have been instances where nations achieved prosperity and strength by selecting the right individuals, as well as tragic instances of national decline and familial destruction resulting from poor choices. This underscores the importance of choosing the right people, which requires a keen understanding of human nature. To truly understand a person, one must first comprehend their inner motivations, which is why the art of understanding people has been highly valued throughout history. After accumulating a wealth of experiences, ancient scholars synthesized various techniques for reading people, including the "Five Observations," "Six Tests," and "Seven Observations."

These methods remain valuable for modern individuals, and it might be useful to reflect on them, as they could prove beneficial in unforeseen situations.

Li Kui's "Five Observations" for Understanding People

Li Kui's "Five Observations" method for understanding individuals was proposed when he was asked by Duke Wen of Wei to evaluate two candidates for the position of prime minister.

When Duke Wen sought Li Kui's advice on the candidates, Li Kui emphasized that the prime minister should fundamentally be the monarch's aide, and the decision should rest with Duke Wen himself rather than others. However, he offered five key recommendations for Duke Wen to consider:

• Observe whom he associates with. Look at the people he usually surrounds himself with, as similar individuals tend to attract one another.
• Observe his spending habits when wealthy. Determine if he indulges in personal pleasures and extravagance or if he uses his resources to attract talented individuals.
• Observe whom he promotes when in power. Check if he favors personal friends and relatives or if he supports capable and virtuous individuals, irrespective of connections.
• Observe his behavior in adversity. Assess whether he upholds his principles and doesn't compromise his beliefs during tough times.
• Observe his conduct when impoverished. Determine if he maintains his integrity and doesn't accept ill-gotten gains during difficult circumstances.

Lü Buwei's "Six Tests" for Understanding People

The ancient text "Lüshi Chunqiu" from the Qin Dynasty documents a method known as the "Six Tests" for understanding individuals, which involves:

• Test his integrity by making him happy. See if he can stay true to his principles and not get carried away by happiness.
• Test his quirks by making him joyful. Observe if he has any bad habits or becomes easily distracted by pleasures.
• Test his self-control by provoking anger. Evaluate whether he can manage his emotions and remain rational when angry.
• Test his perseverance by inducing fear. In a fearful situation, observe if he can stand firm and assume responsibility like a true hero.
• Test his composure by inducing sorrow. Observe if he can maintain self-control and not become pessimistic or blame others during times of grief.
• Test his ambition by placing him in hardship. In tough circumstances, observe if he has grand aspirations and the resilience to endure hardship.

The "Six Tests" method outlined in "Lüshi Chunqiu" is essentially aimed at understanding a person by observing their behavior in various emotional states. It can be described as the "Emotional Reading Method."

Zhuge Liang's "Seven Observations" for Understanding People

Zhuge Liang, from the Three Kingdoms period, discussed methods for understanding people in his work "Heart Book," proposing seven strategies:

• Ask about right and wrong to assess their ambitions. Evaluate their judgment on right and wrong to gauge their future aspirations and determine if they have grand ambitions.
• Challenge them with sharp questions to test their adaptability. Pose difficult questions and observe if they can think quickly and adapt.
• Consult them on strategies to gauge their knowledge. Seek their opinions on specific issues to evaluate their knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
• Inform them of disasters to assess their courage. Observe their reactions to difficulties to determine if they have the courage to face challenges and maintain composure.
• Get them drunk to observe their character. Offer them fine wine to assess their personal integrity and check for duplicity.
• Present them with benefits to evaluate their integrity. Observe their behavior when faced with wealth to see if they can resist material temptations and maintain a good mindset.
• Assign them tasks to assess their trustworthiness. Delegate responsibilities to see how reliable they are and if they keep their promises or are just all talk.