Plain Language "The Root of Vegetables" · "Fleeting Dreams and Shadows"

Author: (Ming) Hong Yingming et al. / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-07-28
Features: [Excerpt:] Conceal cleverness in clumsiness, use obscurity to reveal clarity, hide purity in turbidity, and take yielding as stretching. It is indeed a pot for engaging with the world and a cave for hiding oneself. [Explanation] To hide one's intelligence and talent in seemingly foolish words and deeds, to cover one's sharpness with a facade of ignorance, to conceal one's inner integrity in amiable and vague behavior, and to take a humble and patient attitude as the principle for realizing one's will. If these can be achieved, it is equivalent to mastering the art of navigating the world and finding a safe retreat for preserving oneself. The signs of decline are present in fullness, and the seeds of transformation are sown in desolation. Therefore, a noble person should remain vigilant in prosperity and persevere with patience in adversity. [Explanation] Generally, the signs of decline and decay are present even in times of prosperity, and the seeds of transformation and vitality are sown in times of decline. Thus, a person of high cultivation should maintain a clear mind in times of peace to prevent future troubles and possess unwavering perseverance in times of crisis to wait for the right moment for success. Those who are amazed by novelty lack far-sightedness; those who rigidly adhere to self-righteousness lack enduring virtue. [Explanation] A person who is only interested in pursuing strange and novel things rather than seeking the essence of ordinary matters is one who lacks vision and shallow knowledge. A person who insists on upholding moral integrity and acts alone may find it difficult to maintain such virtue for long. When anger and desire are at their fiercest, one knows it is wrong yet cannot control it. Who is it that knows it is wrong? Who is it that cannot control it? If one can suddenly realize and restrain oneself at this critical moment, the fierce demon becomes a benevolent deity. [Explanation] When one's anger burns like fire and desires boil like boiling water, one clearly knows that such actions are wrong yet often cannot control them. Who is it that knows it is wrong? Who is it that cannot control it? If one can suddenly awaken and restrain oneself at this pivotal moment, the fierce demon becomes a compassionate god. Those who live in abundance should be like water about to overflow but not yet overflowing—avoid adding another drop; those in peril should be like a tree about to break but not yet broken—avoid adding another pressure. [Explanation] Those who have achieved everything as they wish are like water in a jar about to overflow but not yet overflowing—avoid adding another drop, or it will spill out; those in dire straits are like a tree about to break but not yet broken—avoid adding another pressure, or it will break immediately. Observe people with a cold eye, listen to words with a cold ear, feel with a cold heart, and think with a cold mind. [Explanation] Observe others' actions with a calm gaze, listen to others' words with a calm ear, process perceptions with a calm heart, and contemplate the truth of things with a calm mind. A benevolent person's heart is broad and relaxed, bringing them abundant blessings and long-lasting happiness, and they exude a magnanimous and composed demeanor in everything. A petty person's thoughts are rushed and narrow, leading to meager rewards and short-lived happiness, and they reveal a greedy and selfish nature in everything. [Explanation] When hearing of others' faults or bad deeds, do not immediately develop aversion—instead, investigate calmly to determine whether it is the result of malicious slander. When hearing of others' good deeds or virtuous actions, do not immediately trust or get close to them—instead, observe carefully to determine whether it is a tactic used by those with ulterior motives to gain favor. Impulsive and careless people achieve nothing, while calm and composed people attract blessings naturally. [Explanation] A person who is impulsive and careless will act rashly and without deliberation, leading to failure and even disaster. A person who is gentle and serene will act meticulously and with careful planning, naturally achieving success and great accomplishments. When hiring people, do not be harsh—harshness drives away those who wish to serve; when making friends, do not be indiscriminate—indiscriminate friendships attract flatterers. [Explanation] When hiring people, do not be cruel—cruelty drives away those who wish to serve, leaving you isolated. When making friends, do not be indiscriminate—indiscriminate friendships attract flatterers, endangering your future. In times of fierce winds and heavy rains, stand firm; in places of blooming flowers and lush willows, maintain a high perspective; on dangerous paths, turn back early. [Explanation] In times of turbulent changes and unpredictable storms, maintain unwavering faith and stand firm amidst the chaos. In places of beauty and temptation, maintain a broad vision and resist being swayed by sensual allure. In critical situations, make decisive decisions and retreat early without hesitation. People of integrity should temper their nature with harmony, avoiding conflicts; those who seek fame and fortune should uphold humility, avoiding jealousy. [Explanation] People of integrity who are strong-willed should temper their nature with harmony, avoiding conflicts arising from rigid views. Those who have achieved fame and fortune should uphold humility and kindness, avoiding jealousy that arises from arrogance. Scholars and officials should not be overly selective in receiving letters, maintaining a dignified and serious attitude to deter opportunists. Those who live in the countryside should not appear aloof, instead adopting a friendly and approachable attitude to foster old friendships. [Explanation] Officials should be selective in receiving letters, maintaining a dignified and serious attitude to deter opportunists. Those who live in the countryside should not appear aloof, instead adopting a friendly and approachable attitude to foster old friendships. A noble person is not to be feared, for fearing them prevents indulgence; a commoner is not to be feared, for fearing them prevents arrogance. [Explanation] A person of high moral character should be respected, for respect prevents indulgence. A commoner should also be respected, for respect prevents arrogance. When facing setbacks, think of those less fortunate, and resentment will fade; when feeling complacent, think of those superior to you, and your spirit will be rejuvenated. [Explanation] When facing setbacks, think of those less fortunate, and resentment will fade. When feeling complacent, think of those superior to you, and your spirit will be rejuvenated. Do not make promises lightly in joy, nor get angry when drunk, nor engage in unnecessary troubles in happiness, nor give up halfway when tired. [Explanation] Do not make promises lightly in joy, nor get angry when drunk, nor engage in unnecessary troubles in happiness, nor give up halfway when tired. A good reader reads until they are moved to dance, avoiding merely reciting words without understanding. A good observer observes until they are in harmony with the object, avoiding being confined to superficial appearances. [Explanation] A good reader reads until they are moved to dance, avoiding merely reciting words without understanding. A good observer observes until they are in harmony with the object, avoiding being confined to superficial appearances. Heaven grants wisdom to one to enlighten the ignorant, yet the world often shows off strengths to highlight others' weaknesses; Heaven grants wealth to one to help the poor, yet the world often uses wealth to oppress the poor. Truly, such people are the scum of humanity and the sinners of Heaven, defying divine will and committing great sins! The wise have no thoughts or worries, the foolish are ignorant and unknowing, yet both can discuss learning and achieve great deeds. Only the mediocre, with every thought and knowledge, are filled with doubts and suspicion, making it difficult to act. [Explanation] The wise and virtuous are open-minded and free from suspicion, living without worries. The foolish are ignorant and muddled, lacking the cunning to scheme with others. Both can discuss learning and achieve great deeds. Only the mediocre, with every thought and knowledge, are filled with doubts and suspicion, making it difficult to act and often leading to failure. The mouth is the door of the heart; guard it not well, and you will reveal all secrets. The mind is the foot of the heart; guard it not well, and you will stray into evil paths. [Explanation] The mouth is the door of the heart; guard it not well, and you will reveal all secrets. The mind is the foot of the heart; guard it not well, and you will stray into evil paths. When blaming others, seek no faults where none exist, and the situation will be harmonious. When blaming oneself, seek faults even where none exist, and virtue will improve. [Explanation] When blaming others, seek no faults where none exist, and the situation will be harmonious. When blaming oneself, seek faults even where none exist, and virtue will improve.