When people leave, the tea grows cold—that is the law of nature. When people stay, yet the tea grows cold—that is the chill of human relations. To a Buddhist, a cup of tea is Zen; to a Taoist, it is Qi; to a Confucian, it is ritual; and to a merchant, it is profit. The tea says: "I am merely water; what you perceive is your own imagination. You become what you think." The heart is the tea, and the tea is the heart.
For the young, the journey ahead is long and setbacks are inevitable. Perhaps the sun sets, or perhaps a new dawn awaits after the darkness. Choices and waiting can be painful, but without a steadfast belief, one cannot endure the cold night to see the morning. Only through strength can we witness the rising sun after a long, dark night.
Experience teaches us that speaking too much can invite trouble, while speaking less can reduce it. Silence avoids trouble, and a smile can solve it. Often, language is not the only or even the best way to communicate. A meaningful glance, a bright smile, a humble posture, a warm embrace, or a kind act can be more powerful than a thousand words.
Learn to control your temper: seeing others as unpleasant is a sign of insufficient self-cultivation. In the moment of anger, one's intelligence drops to zero, taking a minute to recover. The key to elegance lies in emotional control. Hurting others with words is the most foolish behavior. Learn to master your temper and become a person of refinement.
When one lingers in a landscape, the scenery surrounds them. Admire the beauty, but do not seek to possess it, for no one owns the scenery. One may wander and linger to enjoy the view, but it is impossible to carry every sight in one's heart, and some misty beauties need not be fully understood. Though we are but passing travelers, we never cease to appreciate the beauty of the world. Human landscapes leave a lasting legacy, and bright weather offers endless splendor.
