1. No matter how much fame or fortune one attains, it is but a blank sheet of paper. We come empty-handed and leave empty-handed; the hardships and complexities of the journey are merely a legend. When eyes close, everything fades. We are destined to be ordinary people, so ordinary that we may be forgotten. Starting with the splendor of dawn and ending in the dimness of dusk, how much profound thought can we leave behind, and how many will cheer for our lives?
2. Because I understand the vastness and diversity of the world, and recognize my own limitations and narrowness, I allow myself not to understand others, and allow others not to understand me. I do not attempt to dominate the will of others, nor do I easily surrender to the evaluation systems imposed by others. This is perhaps the freest form of solitude, the gentlest form of rebellion. You will create a small world around you—one of seeking common ground while respecting differences—tranquil and indifferent.
3. Do not harbor discontent or resentment, nor should you dwell on the past or lose heart. Whether it is fortune or misfortune, it must be faced; whether it is good or bad, it will pass. Beautiful memories have accompanied me through life's storms, drifting slowly through the flow of time, yet warming the present and the future. One must be able to grasp and also let go. Believe that the passing time may age our faces, but it enriches our lives. The value of youth lies not in the years themselves, but in a heart filled with courage and passion—unafraid to be hurt, to give, to love, and to dream.
4. You think you know someone, only to find after a while that they are completely different. Once you accept that version, you suddenly realize they are another person you don't recognize at all. Ultimately, you realize you never truly knew them. In this age of material desire, people should reshape their inner selves just as they reshape their outward appearance.
5. Amidst the vastness of the world, life is not always smooth sailing. We let go because of love; we remain silent because of letting go; and we find peace in a single glance because of understanding. Perhaps it is the days of wind and rain that carry the weight of life, while the calm days are better suited for quiet contemplation.
6. When you aren't fat, people say you are too thin; when you are slightly plump, they say you aren't fat at all; when you are quite heavy, they say being fleshy looks good. Only when it becomes an insurmountable struggle do people tell you to lose weight. Therefore, do not listen too much to others. Those who are not disciplined enough with themselves will never master their own destiny, no matter how clever they are.
7. Where the wind passes, white petals fall like snow, sweeping away a sense of indifference. The mist is cool, the lotus sleeps, and the light is dim and rippling. Shadows dance in the distance, mountains rise like shifting thoughts, and trees are lush but fruitless. Suddenly, a butterfly flutters past, its wings mottled. As the temple bells ring, in the reflection of this uncrossed shore, beside my pale face, I see once again the obsessions I have yet to let go.
