In the 18th century, Britain transported convicts to Australia for development. Transport was contracted to private entities, and the government paid based on the number of people boarding. To maximize profits, shipowners severely overloaded the vessels, leading to an extremely high mortality rate among convicts. To rectify this, the government changed the payment method from the number of people boarding to the number of people actually disembarking. Consequently, the mortality rate plummeted to 1%. As Hayek remarked, bad institutions can drive good people to do evil, while good institutions can lead bad people toward virtue.
Time is like stone, and wisdom is like a blade. A blade of wisdom only emits a dazzling light after being honed by the passage of time. We are all blacksmiths of our own lives, sharpening ourselves in the river of time. The handle is in our own hands: through diligence and mindfulness, we can sharpen our edge and elevate our souls; through carelessness and laziness, we may become dull and waste our lives.
We tend to remember our mentors and feel gratitude for others' kindness, yet we often dwell on our mistakes while forgetting our own good deeds. Such a level of perspective and sentiment is extraordinary. Regarding the ideal way to live: perhaps it is to marry a kind wife, raise intelligent children, contemplate simple questions, and live a tranquil life. Just as unique landscapes earn admiration by maintaining their original character, those who dare to remain true to themselves amidst the rush of time are equally worthy of respect.
Do not be saddened when friends ignore you; everyone has their own life, and no one can accompany you indefinitely. The reason you feel lonely is not that no one cares, but that the person you care about has not shown concern.
Not every night is blessed with a bright moon, not every dream comes true, and not every moment is filled with good moods. Life is a blend of various colors and flavors. Life is a profound art, and understanding it is the best interpretation of existence.
There is no such thing as an unending banquet; the ultimate destination of life is death. The moment of eternal sleep is like the conclusion of a grand masquerade ball. The people encountered and the stories shared in that ball will eventually fade away as the soul departs.
