The Song of the Phoenix (Qin Song), Sima Xiangru
A beautiful lady I see, and I can never forget her. If I do not see her for a single day, my longing becomes almost mad. The phoenix soars high, searching across the four seas for its mate. Alas, the beloved is not by the eastern wall. I play the zither to speak for my heart, gently expressing my feelings. When will you accept me and calm my restless heart? I wish to match you in virtue and walk hand in hand. If we cannot fly together, I shall fall into despair, Sima Xiangru, The Song of the Phoenix (Qin Song).
When a flock of geese rests, one goose always stands guard, called the sentinel goose, taking turns. A hunter once tried many times to catch them but failed. Later he changed his approach, rushing straight toward the flock and hiding after the sentinel called out. After repeated scares with no real danger, the flock grew angry at the sentinel and eventually attacked it together. The sentinel could only sigh in silence. When the hunter approached again, the sentinel no longer warned them, and the flock suffered heavy losses. Such is the world: loyalty is sometimes misunderstood, and silence after misunderstanding often leads to greater loss.
Peace of mind is the most beautiful state of being alive. Life is an attitude; a calm mind brings a vast world. Everyone has different states of mind, leading to different lives. Patience is not weakness, but inner transcendence. To accept loss is a form of virtue; to endure is a form of mental growth. Those who do not cling to gains and losses, who do not compare constantly, can go further in life.
You are your own enemy; only you can defeat yourself. You are also your own god; only you can save yourself.
If you climb a mountain with a downhill mindset, you will never reach the summit. To change the world, you must first change your mindset.
No matter how bad today may be, there is no need for excessive sadness, because today is the youngest day of the rest of your life.
In terms of thought, we all sleep on our own possessions: you sleep on your gold, while I sleep on my tools for earning a living.
