Reading extra-curricular books allows us to gather a wide range of information, broadening our horizons and preventing us from being confined to a narrow perspective, like a frog in a well. It also enables us to focus on our specialized fields, concentrating our energy to reach the summit sooner. In short, whether for cultivating character or for personal entertainment, when reading extra-curricular books, we can focus our attention on the parts we understand. For parts that are not immediately clear, we can adopt a "seeking no thorough understanding" approach and continue reading. We mostly read masterpieces to gain enjoyment, and through this enjoyment, we naturally receive education and benefit. Deliberate and overly analytical reading often ruins this pleasurable atmosphere.
Gone water never returns, and time never comes back again. Looking at history both at home and abroad, everyone who has achieved great things has cherished time as gold. The ancients said: "An inch of time is an inch of gold, but an inch of gold cannot buy an inch of time." Yesterday is not much different from today, and today is no different from tomorrow. The four seasons cycle endlessly through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. However, our stature changes—growing taller and then shorter again—and our hair turns from black to white. Only then do we realize: the things we should have learned, we didn't; the skills we should have mastered, we didn't; the things we should have done, we didn't. The time that has passed can never be recovered. What meaning is there in such a life?
Time is a loan that cannot be repaid, even by the most creditworthy borrowers. The more sparingly one spends time, the more generously time responds. Seize today and rely as little as possible on tomorrow. "Do not let idle days pass; let your youth turn white-haired, only to be filled with empty regret!"
You can "wait" until you are less busy to handle matters, "wait" until you are free to gather with friends, and "wait" until you are rested to study... But time does not wait for you, nor can it. Therefore, if you do not chase time, you will be eliminated by time.
