Money can purchase power, but not prestige; it can buy obedience, but not loyalty; it can acquire a physical vessel, but not a soul; it can win over the hearts of the small-minded, but not the aspirations of a gentleman. There is no need to argue with fate; living in harmony with nature is the way. Success is not found on a single path; do not be rigid or obstinate; if one road is blocked, try another.
The mandatory course in life is learning to accept impermanence; the elective course is learning to let go of obsession. Life should be guided by oneself, lived in a way that aligns with one's true intentions. If you cannot master your mindset, you will be mastered by it, living a life you cannot control—a truly tragic way to exist.
For those of virtue and learning, the more one looks up to them, the higher they seem; the more one delves, the firmer they become. Their virtue and reputation spread naturally, like the fragrance of flowers that drifts far. To pursue fame relentlessly is like climbing a tree to catch a fish. Virtue inspires silent reverence, while authority only breeds suppressed resentment. We should learn the wisdom of humility and respect, for in this impermanent world, only harmony lasts.
As the ancients said: "If you do not read for a day, dust gathers within; if you do not read for two, your speech becomes dull; if you do not read for three, your appearance becomes unsightly." Yang Jiang remarked that reading is not for degrees or wealth, but to become a person with warmth, passion, and thought. Every idea harvested from books remains evergreen and practical. True readers possess free souls—souls that remain unguarded yet unshakeable.
Sometimes an accident becomes a habit, a habit creates expectation, and expectation leads to disappointment; yet, disappointment can prompt us to break bad habits and return to spontaneity. By understanding these cycles of accidents and habits, we can escape the cycle of disappointment and reclaim a state of grace and freedom.
