Zeng Guofan on friendship: 'Eight to Befriend and Nine to Avoid.' The 'Eight to Befriend' are: those who excel themselves, those of great virtue, those of shared interests, those willing to endure losses, those who speak directly, those with broad ambitions, those who help in times of hardship, and those who empathize with others. The 'Nine to Avoid' are: those with differing principles, flatterers, those with reversed gratitude and resentment, those who seek undue advantage, those devoid of character, those who are unfilial, fools, those who kick others when they are down, and those of thin virtue.
A gentle smile when misunderstood shows character; a calm smile when wronged shows magnanimity; a cheerful smile when suffering a loss shows equanimity; a self-deprecating smile in predicament shows wisdom; an optimistic smile in helplessness shows vision; a composed smile in crisis shows greatness; a peaceful smile when despised shows confidence; and a light smile after a breakup shows grace.
Dawn is not brought forth by the crowing of a rooster.
Be strict with yourself and kind to others.
Understanding the vastness and diversity of the world, and recognizing our own limitations, allows us to accept that we may not understand others, and others may not understand us. We should not attempt to dominate the will of others, nor should we easily conform to their evaluation systems. This is perhaps the freest form of solitude and the gentlest form of rebellion. In doing so, you create a small world of harmony in diversity, peaceful and indifferent.
Flowers bloom beautifully even without names; humble grass can spread a lush greenery. In real life, we often lose our spirituality due to heavy burdens and abandon ourselves through excessive admiration of others. In truth, to those who love us and those we love, we are the most important. This importance stems from our longing for life and our promise to existence, radiating a light that brings warmth and tenderness.
Do not mistake passion, excitement, and fun for love; these are merely the initial forms of love. True love remains steadfast amidst the blandness of routine and the repetition of daily life. Current passion does not guarantee future devotion; sometimes, it merely masks loneliness. True love is found in the persistence through daily chores and the tolerance during heated arguments.
There is always someone who resides deep within the soul. A pure space is a spotless land; a spiritual connection is an inner dialogue. Companionship may be invisible, yet it nourishes the heart. Understanding emotions moves the soul. What is gained over time is not just affection but profound emotion; what is held through gatherings and partings is not just reality but true feeling. Holding hands in life is easy; holding hearts is the greatest challenge.
The present is a limited edition. Today's gains and losses, joys and sorrows, will never be the same tomorrow. We should make every minute meaningful and happy, without compromising our true selves to please others. The outside world does not need to exhaust you. Whether dreaming of the future or recalling the scars of the past, the only thing that will accompany you forever is your own shadow.
A seashell takes a lifetime to transform countless grains of sand into a pearl, and a rainbow after the rain requires countless water vapors to bloom in a fleeting moment. If we view these as setbacks, then it is these very setbacks that create the dazzling pearl and the beautiful rainbow.
Life is a blank canvas. It becomes colorful and magnificent only when we add the yellow of hope, the blue of composure, the green of vitality, the red of passion, and the purple of romance.
