To belittle others is to belittle oneself. We are all part of the multitude, each with our own strengths and weaknesses, and all of us yearn for public recognition. Consequently, we strive and fight ceaselessly, constantly caring about others' gazes. Yet, we live for ourselves, not for the scrutiny or evaluations of others. If we wish to perform on a broader stage of life and play a more spirited tune, we must learn to live modestly. Often, even if no one pays attention to us, there is no need to take ourselves too seriously.
Endurance is painful, but its outcome is sweet. There is always someone who makes us want to use our lifetime of courage and emotion to see through love and time. If one day I become arrogant and ignore others, remember that once, no one kept me in their hearts. What is scarcer than time is the desire and mood to truly understand another person. We hesitate because we fear crossing mountains and rivers only to find that the heart across from us, which seems golden and shining, is actually a desolate wilderness.
The need to feed the stomach is why humans cannot easily see themselves as gods. We live one life, just as plants live one spring. We should work with heads down and observe people with eyes open. Teeth break from being hard; tongues survive by being soft. Great nobility comes from fate; small nobility comes from diligence. Sharing the field brings wealth; dividing it brings poverty. Compassion is the foundation; convenience is the gate. When power fails, servants bully their masters; when times decline, ghosts tease men. True gold fears no fire; a coward cannot be a loyal minister. Only in a storm do we know the sturdy grass; only in hardship do the great people reveal themselves. Do not speak of profit without capital; if you have goods, do not fear poverty. Planting flowers with bleeding hands yields no blooms; casually planting a willow branch makes a forest. Last night, a dog hurt people's feelings; today, a carp jumps over the Dragon Gate.
The meaning of many people's lives is to possess a pile of life experiences. However, to others, those are just outdated clothes that never fit. The best gift for parents is honor, for children is an example, for oneself is success, and for friends is hope. Speak things out; do not wait for the other person to understand, because they are not you and do not know what you want. Waiting until the end leads only to heartache and disappointment, especially in relationships.
