The Complete Works of Cai Gen Tan - Standard Edition of Classical Classics

Author: Li Wei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
A person who upholds morality may be lonely for a time, but one who relies on power and status may face desolation for eternity. A wise person observes things beyond the material world and thinks of life after death, choosing temporary solitude over eternal desolation.
[Note] [1] A wise person: One who is open-minded and understands their fate. Wang Bo's Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng: "What we rely on are wise people who see the opportunity. Gentlemen understand their fate."
[Note] [2] Things beyond the material world: The Buddhist concept of Nirvana, a state of non-birth and non-death.
[Note] [3] After death: Referring to life after death.
Two: Those who are inexperienced in the world are lightly stained; those who have experienced much are deeply cunning. Therefore, a gentleman would rather be simple and unrefined than clever and calculating; they would rather be unrestrained than overly cautious.
[Note] [1] Stained: Defiled. Du Fu's Eight Laments for the Dead·Zheng Gongqin: "After repeatedly returning to the Holy Dynasty, he was defiled without cleansing."
[Note] [2] Cunning: Deceitful. The Huainanzi·On the Way of the Originator: "Thus, a heart filled with cunning hides in the chest, and then pure white and unadulterated spiritual virtue is incomplete."
Three: A gentleman's thoughts are as clear as the blue sky and white sun, and cannot be hidden from others; a gentleman's talent is like jade hidden away, and cannot be easily revealed.
[Note] [1] Yuèn (): To store, to conceal. Lu Ji's On Literature: "Jade hidden in a stone makes the mountain shine, and pearls hidden in water make the river beautiful."
Four: In the midst of worldly desires and splendor, those who do not approach them are pure, and those who approach but remain uncorrupted are even more pure. In terms of wisdom and cunning, those who do not know them are noble, and those who know them but do not use them are even more noble.
Five: To often hear harsh words and to frequently encounter things that disturb one's heart are the grinding stones for moral cultivation. If every word is pleasing to the ear and every matter brings joy, one is burying this life in poison.
[Note] [1] Zhèn (): Poisonous wine or medicine. The Book of Han·Biographies of the Thirteen Kings of Jing: "Therefore, ancient people considered ease and comfort to be poison, and those who lack virtue yet are wealthy are considered unlucky."
Six: In fierce wind and rain, birds are sorrowful; in clear sunlight and gentle breezes, grass and trees flourish. This shows that the world cannot do without harmony for even a single day, nor can the human heart do without joy for even a single day.
[Note] [1] Cìcì: The appearance of worry and fear. The Analects: "Gentlemen are broad-minded, while petty people are often worried and fearful."
P005-P006