Humans are indeed peculiar creatures. We often treat sound advice on law-abiding behavior as noise, even when we know it is right, while sweetly accepting flattery that we clearly recognize as false.
People with a conscience understand gratitude. It is only those who harbor more hatred than love, or those lost in the quagmire of desire, who lose the capacity for gratitude.
In our interactions, we subconsciously absorb the virtues of those around us and improve through self-reflection. Frequently associating with "sages" can elevate our own level, even without conscious effort, through osmosis. If we continuously learn from their strengths, reflect on our own flaws, and drive ourselves to approach them, our mental and moral cultivation will steadily improve over time.
Forgiving the faults of others is a virtue. By being tolerant, we naturally earn respect. Conversely, if we ignore the existence of others and lack respect, we will find it difficult to have close friends.
Standing on one's own in a city where one knows no one is exhausting. However, complaining about fatigue is not in my nature. I prefer to pretend to be foolish or eccentric to provoke a laugh from others, or even myself. Yet, only I truly understand my heart. Behind that smile lies a deep longing for someone to see through the loneliness beneath. For most of the time, I sit in front of the computer, spending time alone, only feeling alive when I become tired or hungry.
The reason why unwavering love and loyal, righteous courage exist in the world is that time is relatively short, allowing such sentiments to sustain. As the saying goes, "A sickbed of long duration tests the loyalty of children." Endurance over a long period is not easy. The beauty of all things often lies in the fact that there is "no time for them to turn bad."
