Pay attention to yourself constantly, and life will not lead you astray. One's gains and losses, blessings and tribulations, are determined by oneself. Although external factors play a role, how one responds to these influences defines an entire lifetime. By attending to your inner self, you can understand who you truly are, walk the path you desire, do what you are meant to do, and love those you should love. Through self-reflection, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses to compensate for them, recognize your value to make the most of it, and tap into your potential for continuous improvement. If we acknowledge the inevitability of death, life might suddenly become more beautiful.
1. Do not dwell on gains and losses, nor compare having with not having.
2. There are three essential stages on the path to wisdom: first, the period of conformity, where one respects, obeys, and emulates those stronger than oneself; second, the desert period, when constraints are tightest, but as the heart of reverence breaks, the spirit of freedom grows, allowing one to re-evaluate all values; and third, the period of creation, where affirmation is rebuilt upon negation—not based on authority, but from within: "I am my own destiny."
3. Regarding those who are "unpleasant to look at": the process of practicing Buddhism is nothing more than the process of subduing the mind. One must subdue an uneven, impure, biased, discriminatory, hateful, or ignorant mind. Keep the mind anchored in the Path, seeing all living beings as Bodhisattvas while recognizing only oneself as a mortal. If this is achieved, no one will seem unpleasant, and by keeping the heart at peace, all beings will find peace.
4. For human life, time is not like "The grass on the plain, withers and blooms once a year, yet wildfires cannot burn it all away, and the spring breeze brings it back to life." Nor is it like "The swallows of the old palace fly into the homes of ordinary people." Instead, it is like "The white sun sets behind the mountains, and the Yellow River flows into the sea"—once gone, it never returns. Only by understanding this can one cherish life.
5. You think you know someone, but after a while, you find they are different; once you accept that version, you suddenly realize they are yet another person you don't recognize at all. In this era of materialism, people should reshape their inner selves as much as they reshape their outward appearance.
6. Regardless of the promises made by bosses or superiors, maintain clarity and self-respect. Do not place excessive hope in others; by doing your own work well, you create your own hope and earn respect and opportunities. Success comes naturally when the time is right. As "The Internationale" sings: there are no saviors in this world, only ourselves.
7. Learn to be a wise person: If you were not born into wealth and do not have the life of a prince or princess, do not adopt the maladies that only they can afford. You do not have the time or money to gaze at the sky in melancholy; you must strive, carrying the weight of family and life. Do not waste time on complaints and grievances. No one owes you anything; do not compare yourself to the protagonists of soap operas. Only through inner strength and composure can you grow.
8. Young women should not easily expose their tastes, as taste subtly reflects one's character. Attempting to please others through affectation is aesthetically unappealing; however, a natural, accidental shyness is often seen as most charming.
9. Walking along, we drift apart, and memories fade; watching along, we grow weary, and the starlight dims; listening along, we awaken and begin to complain; looking back, you are gone, and suddenly, I am lost.
10. Some people you observe for a lifetime but overlook for a lifetime; some you glance at once, and they influence you forever; some rejoice for you with passion, only to be neglected by you; some bring brief happiness, yet leave a lasting chain of thought.
11. Through constant blacksmithing, one becomes a blacksmith.
12. The path chosen by the crowd is the safest, yet it often leads to traffic jams.
13. Without facing storms, one cannot become a skilled sailor; without enduring hardships, one cannot achieve a pioneering life.
14. Knowing nothing can sometimes be adorable, and sometimes pitiful.
15. Only with hope can one reach the light.
16. The most precious quality in life is honesty; the greatest bankruptcy is despair; the greatest sorrow is jealousy; the most precious gift is forgiveness; and the greatest ignorance is self-deception.
17. Life is essentially a play; why dwell too much on grievances and resentments?
18. Life is a process of wave-like struggle, where the most valuable assets are strong will and conviction.
19. The rings of life are etched with the flavors of joy and sorrow, and emotions are the support points of existence in this world.
20. Those who understand life profoundly are often those who have weathered many storms and hardships.
21. The joy of life lies in fulfillment. Both learning and practice can bring fulfillment.
22. Life is like a small boat rowing against the current; if one is satisfied with the status quo and discards the oars of pursuit, the boat will drift back, run aground, or even strike a reef, never reaching the shore of success.
23. Life is like a test, and history will grade you.
24. Life is like climbing a mountain; no one truly reaches the absolute summit, but the higher you climb, the more beautiful the scenery you behold.
25. Humans come into this world to pursue not just basic necessities, but also beauty and success. However, excessive pursuit turns into greed, causing us to lose control over our lives and become numb beings driven only by fame and fortune.
26. By starting with small details, you can cultivate the good habit of "Nine Reflections" to accelerate your success.
27. Even the smallest good habit can greatly aid success; even the smallest bad habit, once formed, can become an immovable obstacle. In life, be the master of your habits, not their slave.
28. Learn to be flexible; do not strike a stone with an egg, for the outcome is predictable.
