Original text and translation of Wu Qi's Keeping the Faith

Original text

In the past when Wu Qi came out, he met an old friend and stopped eating. The old man said: "Promise, I will eat when I return." He said: "I will eat when I wait for you." The old man did not come at dusk, so I waited for him without eating. Tomorrow morning, I will ask someone to ask for an old friend. If the old friend comes, I will eat with him. Those who don't eat until they get up are afraid that they will eat what they said. If he believes this, how can he serve the three armies? If he wants to serve the three armies, he must believe it!

Translation

Once upon a time when Wu Qi went out and met an old friend, he invited him to eat. The old friend said, "Okay, I'll come to your house for dinner when I come back." Wu Qi said, "I'll wait for you to have dinner with me at home." But the old friend didn't come in the evening, so Wu Qi didn't eat. Wait for him. The next morning, (Wu Qi) sent someone to find his old friend. When the old friend came, he had dinner with him. The reason Wu Qi didn't eat and waited for his old friend was because he was afraid that his words would not count. He sticks to his word to such an extent. This is why he can convince the army! If you want to convince the army, (as a general) you cannot keep your word.

The article is very concise, but has profound implications. Through the story of Wu Qi and other old friends having dinner together, it tells us that if you promise others something, you must do it. Setting an example, being trustworthy, and being sincere and trustworthy are the qualities that each of us should have. Only if a person keeps his word can he gain the respect of others, and only if he keeps his word can he gain the trust of others.