Hi Richard,
In the final years of the Song (宋) Dynasty (960 A.D. to 1279 A.D.) in China, the Mongolian troops defeated all the cities and towns in their path of attack. Those who saw what was happening either went over to the winning side and shamelessly served the new leader. Those who had some sense of honour changed their names and escaped to the countryside. The only one who wasn't afraid of death was Wen Tian Xiang (文天祥).
He took all his family savings and used it to organize an army of volunteers to protect the country. At first the army had some success, but at the end, he was captured and imprisoned. With high respect, the Mongolian Emperor exhorted him to surrender. But Wen Tian Xiang was not tempted by wealth and honour, nor was he intimidated by military threats. He would rather die than surrender. The well-known "Song of Righteousness" (正氣歌) was composed when he was in prison. Right before his execution, he proudly said, "what have I learned from reading the books of sages? From now onwards, I have no cause for remorse" (讀聖賢書，所學何事？而今而後，庶幾無愧！)
Richard, when difficult times come, would we still be able to maintain our integrity? Mencius (孟子) suggested that a great person should have the "Courage of vast nature" (浩然之氣). With this, one’s spirit would not be abused for wealth, would not be moved for poverty and would not be bent for suppression. (富貴不能淫，貧賤不能移，威武不能屈。)
With love, Patrick