Civilized Kitchen Root Classic and Dreams of a Secret Shadow

Author: (Ming) Hong Yingming et al. / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-10-01
Features: [Excerpt:] Conceal cleverness in clumsiness, use obscurity to reveal clarity, hide purity in turbidity, take yielding as stretching. It is truly a pot for navigating the world and a cave for hiding oneself. [Explanation:] To conceal one's intelligence and wisdom in seemingly foolish actions, to hide one's sharpness behind apparent innocence, to mask one's moral integrity in amiable ambiguity, and to regard humility and patience as the means to achieve goals. If these can be mastered, it is equivalent to grasping the protective charm of worldly conduct and finding the retreat of self-preservation. The signs of decline are often present in fullness, and the seeds of change grow within desolation. Therefore, a noble person should maintain vigilance even in tranquility, preparing for adversity, and in times of change, remain steadfast and patient, seeking eventual success. Those who marvel at the unusual lack far-reaching vision; those who rigidly adhere to self-purity lack enduring virtue. [Explanation:] A person who is only fascinated by novel and strange things and avoids exploring the essence of ordinary matters is one without foresight and shallow learning. A person who rigidly clings to propriety and acts unilaterally finds it difficult to maintain virtue long-term. When anger and desire are boiling within, one knows it is wrong yet cannot control oneself. Who is it that knows it is wrong? Who is it that cannot control? If one can suddenly awaken and restrain one's actions at this critical moment, then the fierce demon becomes a compassionate god. Those who live in abundance, like water nearing overflow, must avoid adding another drop; those in peril, like a tree on the brink of breaking, must avoid adding more pressure. [Explanation:] Those who have achieved everything as desired are like a water pot nearly full but not yet overflowing—adding another drop will cause it to spill. Those in dire straits are like a tree about to break—adding more pressure will cause it to snap immediately. Observe people with a cool eye, listen to words with a calm ear, feel with a detached heart, and think with a clear mind. [Explanation:] One must observe others' actions with a calm gaze, listen to their words with a composed ear, process perceptions with a detached heart, and seek the truth of matters with a clear mind. A benevolent person's heart is relaxed, bringing abundant blessings and a long reign of fortune, and everything they do reflects a broad and serene demeanor. A petty person's mind is rushed, leading to limited wealth and a brief span of happiness, and everything they do reveals a greedy and short-sighted nature. To hear of evil, do not immediately despise; fear that it may be the outburst of a slanderer's anger. To hear of good, do not immediately embrace; fear that it may be a trick used by someone seeking advancement. [Explanation:] When hearing of others' faults, do not immediately dislike them; conduct a calm investigation to determine if it is the result of someone's malicious vendetta. When hearing of others' good deeds, do not immediately trust or be close to them; also conduct a serious observation to determine if it is a ploy used by someone with ulterior motives to gain favor. Those who are impatient and coarse never achieve success, while those who are calm and composed naturally gather blessings. [Explanation:] An impatient and careless person acts rashly and without foresight, achieving nothing and even inviting disaster. A gentle and serene person acts with care and deliberation, naturally reaping blessings and accomplishing great deeds. When hiring, do not be harsh, for it drives away those who wish to serve. When making friends, do not be indiscriminate, for it invites flatterers. [Explanation:] When appointing talents, do not be ruthless, for it drives away those willing to serve wholeheartedly. When making friends, do not be indiscriminate, for it invites insincere flatterers. In times of wind and rain, stand firm; amidst flowers and willows, see clearly; on dangerous paths, turn back early. [Explanation:] In times of turbulent circumstances, remain steadfast in faith, able to stand firm amidst storms and keep your course. In places of beauty and allure, maintain a broad perspective, able to resist the temptation of sensual delights. In critical moments of danger, act decisively, able to withdraw promptly and without hesitation. A person of virtue, tempered with harmony, avoids disputes. A person of fame and achievement, guided by humility, avoids jealousy. [Explanation:] A virtuous person, with a harmonious temperament, avoids conflicts. A person of fame and achievement, with humility, avoids jealousy. A scholar in office should not be overly formal, making it difficult to meet, thus discouraging opportunism. A scholar in the countryside should not be too aloof, making it easy to meet, thus fostering old friendships. [Explanation:] A scholar holding office should be in receiving letters, maintaining a dignified demeanor to discourage those with ulterior motives. A scholar in the countryside should be approachable, fostering bonds with neighbors and old friends. A noble person is not to be feared, for fear keeps one from being extravagant. A commoner is not to be feared, for fear keeps one from being tyrannical. [Explanation:] A noble person, morally upright, should not be feared, for fear keeps one from indulgence. A commoner should not be feared, for fear keeps one from being tyrannical. When facing setbacks, think of those less fortunate, and grievances will subside. When feeling complacent, think of those superior to you, and your spirit will be renewed. [Explanation:] When facing adversity, think of those less fortunate, and your grievances will fade. When feeling pleased, think of those better than you, and your spirit will be rejuvenated. Do not make light promises in joy, nor rage in drunkenness. Do not overstep in triumph, nor abandon tasks in fatigue. [Explanation:] Do not make easy promises in joy, nor act recklessly in drunkenness. Do not overstep in triumph, nor abandon tasks in fatigue. 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 subject, avoiding being tied to superficial appearances. [Explanation:] A skilled reader reads until they are deeply moved, avoiding merely reciting words without grasping the essence. A skilled observer observes until they are in harmony with the subject, avoiding being confined to superficial appearances. Heaven provides one with wisdom to enlighten the foolish, yet the world exhibits its strengths to highlight others' weaknesses. Heaven provides one with wealth to aid the needy, yet the world uses its wealth to oppress the poor. Truly, these are the cursed of heaven! [Explanation:] Heaven provides one with wisdom to enlighten the foolish, yet the world exhibits its strengths to highlight others' weaknesses. Heaven provides one with wealth to aid the needy, yet the world uses its wealth to oppress the poor. Those who show off their strengths and highlight others' weaknesses, who rely on their wealth to bully the poor, are the scum of humanity and the sinners of heaven, defying divine will and committing great sins! The supremely wise have no thoughts or worries, the foolish know not and understand not, yet both can be discussed with in studies and can achieve great deeds. Only the mediocre, with every thought and knowledge, have excessive doubts, making it difficult to act. [Explanation:] The supremely wise, free from thoughts and worries, act with openness and integrity, free from suspicion and hatred. The foolish, lacking understanding, act blindly, without the craft to scheme. Both can be discussed with in studies and can achieve great deeds. Only the mediocre, with every thought and knowledge, have excessive doubts, making it difficult to act and often achieving nothing. The mouth is the gate of the heart; guard it not closely, and you will reveal all its secrets. The mind is the foot of the heart; guard it not strictly, and you will stray into wrong paths. [Explanation:] The mouth is the gate of the heart; guard it not closely, and you will reveal all its secrets. The mind is the foot of the heart; guard it not strictly, and you will stray into wrong paths. When criticizing others, seek no faults in those who have none, and harmony will follow. When examining oneself, seek faults even in perfection, and virtue will grow. [Explanation:] When criticizing others, be generous, overlooking minor faults as if they did not exist, fostering harmony and encouraging them to improve. When examining oneself, be strict, even in perfection, checking for errors, thus elevating one's virtue.