Good times don't last forever, and beautiful flowers don't bloom eternally. Life is brief; cherish it, treat it kindly, and grasp it firmly. Cherish everyone around you. Cherish! Cherish! Take care! Take care!
With a joyful heart, you see grass growing and orioles flying; with a heart full of sorrow, you see only withering and desolation. Keep a good heart and be a good person; wearing a smile on your face is the true path.
For those who praise everything: do not speak too much. For those who condemn everything: listen with skepticism. For those who are indifferent to everything: do not trust them at all. For outstanding individuals: trust them but do not depend on them. For ordinary individuals: trust them and depend on them. For detestable individuals: neither trust nor depend on them!
The qualification for humility: Humility requires a foundation of confidence. Wisdom is the confidence of the sage. The sage's wisdom lies in recognizing limitations and deficiencies within their own intelligence. Their gentleness reflects modesty, and their pleasant demeanor reveals broad tolerance. Kindness is the confidence of the benevolent. The benevolent person's kindness can absorb unwarranted harm and shallow arrogance; their humility is fused with patience, and their open-mindedness blends into compassion. Magnanimity is the confidence of the strong. The strong person's magnanimity can make opponents willingly support and naturally revere them. A humble person does not become arrogant because they see through things clearly, and they are not afraid because they walk with integrity. Only such a person can truly be called humble.
Life presents choices almost every day, and trade-offs often disturb the heart. Mencius said: "Fish is what I desire; bear's paw is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I will give up the fish and take the bear's paw. Life is what I desire; righteousness is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I will give up life and take righteousness." This explains from the perspective of trade-offs that only by letting go can one gain.
In warfare, one is placed in a desperate situation to achieve survival. This principle is easy to understand. If we drive the enemy into a corner where they see no hope, they will instead burn their boats and sink their cauldrons, fighting to the death with us. At that point, every enemy soldier becomes a tiger, fighting with their backs to the river. Winning a victory becomes much harder! Even if we eventually win, we will have paid an enormous price and gained no benefit.
