Be more generous

     Life requires us to have an understanding heart and to be more magnanimous in all things. Then, we can laugh off trivial matters and earn more respect.

    Cao Cao and Zhou Yu were both exceptionally talented individuals during the Three Kingdoms period, yet their magnanimity differed greatly.

    When Yuan Shao attacked Cao Cao, he ordered Chen Lin to write three proclamations. In these proclamations, Chen Lin not only vilified Cao Cao himself but also insulted Cao Cao's father and grandfather. Cao Cao was furious. Soon after, Yuan Shao was defeated, and Chen Lin fell into Cao Cao's hands. Most people thought that Cao Cao would only be satisfied if he didn't kill Chen Lin. However, Cao Cao did not do so. He admired Chen Lin's talent and not only spared his life but also set aside past grievances and entrusted him with important responsibilities. This deeply moved Chen Lin, who later offered Cao Cao many excellent ideas.

    Zhou Yu was a talented general, but he lacked the magnanimity expected of one. Zhou Yu was exceptionally intelligent and resourceful, but he was also extremely jealous and intolerant of anyone who surpassed him. He harbored a deep resentment towards Zhuge Liang and attempted to harm him several times, but all his efforts failed. In the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhou Yu suffered heavy losses in troops and supplies, only to have

    Zhuge Liang reap the benefits, infuriating Zhou Yu so much that he later "let out a loud cry, and his wound burst open." Zhou Yu used a beauty trap to lure Liu Bei to Eastern Wu for a marriage alliance, but Zhuge Liang turned the tables on him, resulting in Zhou Yu "losing both his wife and his army," again causing Zhou Yu to "let out a loud cry, and his wound burst open." Finally, Zhou Yu attempted the "borrowing a path to conquer Guo" strategy to seize Jingzhou, but Zhuge Liang saw through his scheme, leading to a four-pronged attack on Zhou Yu. Zhuge Liang also wrote a letter advising him, to which Zhou Yu sighed to the heavens, "Since Heaven gave birth to Yu, why did it also give birth to Liang!" He cried out several times before dying, demonstrating Zhou Yu's narrow-mindedness. No wonder Lu Su of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty said, "Gongjin (Zhou Yu) was narrow-minded; he brought death upon himself!"

    Anger is useless; it won't dissipate like fog or clouds. But temporary forbearance can help restore one's proper image and earn public praise.

    In interpersonal relationships, magnanimity directly impacts the harmonious development of these relationships. Conflicts frequently arise between people, sometimes due to differing levels of understanding, and sometimes due to momentary misunderstandings. If we can treat others with greater magnanimity and understanding, we can buy time and allow conflicts to ease.

    If you are misunderstood or criticized, repeatedly explaining or retaliating may only make things worse. The best solution is to broaden your mind and ignore the issue.

    True wisdom lies in not dwelling on trivial matters; it allows you to stick to your own path regardless of others' opinions, and time will ultimately prove you right.

    Peaceful treatment and leaving room for maneuver are also important.

    Peacefulness is a state of mind, a virtue. Maintaining a peaceful mindset allows you to properly handle people and events in the world, respecting yourself and earning the respect of others—this is the essence of humility.

    During the Song Dynasty, there was a man named Han Qi who, along with Fan Zhongyan, promoted new policies and served as prime minister for a long period during the Northern Song Dynasty. When Han Qi was commanding troops in Dingwu, he was working at his desk at night, with a guard holding a candle for light. The guard momentarily lost focus, and the candle burned a lock of hair at Han Qi's temple. Han Qi said nothing, simply wiping it with his sleeve before continuing to write. A while later, he turned around and found the guard holding the candle had been replaced. Fearing the officer in charge of the guards would whip the new one, Han Qi quickly summoned them and said in front of them, "Don't replace him, because he already knows how to hold a candle." The soldiers in the army were all moved and impressed when they learned of this. Logically, the guard's lack of focus while holding the candle and burning the commander's hair was dereliction of duty, and Han Qi should have reprimanded him. Even if he hadn't, he would have inevitably cried out in pain. But he not only endured the pain without uttering a sound, but also, fearing the guard would be whipped or punished, he went to great lengths to exonerate him. His tolerance was more effective than criticism and punishment in getting soldiers to correct their shortcomings and fulfill their duties. Moreover, Han Qi commanded a large army; though the matter seemed small, its impact was significant. Everyone, from top to bottom, knew about it, and who wouldn't want to risk their life for such a commander?

    When Han Qi was stationed in Daming Prefecture, someone presented him with two unearthed jade cups. These cups were flawless inside and out, rare treasures. Han Qi cherished them greatly and gave the presenter a large sum of silver. At every grand banquet, a special table was set up, covered with brocade, and the two jade cups were placed on it for use. One day, during a toast, an official accidentally knocked one of the cups to the ground, shattering it. The officials present were stunned, and the official who broke the cup was terrified, prostrating himself on the ground begging for punishment. Han Qi, however, remained unmoved. Smiling, he said to the guests, "All treasures, whether they are made or destroyed, have their appointed time. When the time is right, they are offered; when the time is right, no one can save them." He then turned to the official prostrate on the ground and said, "You accidentally broke it; it wasn't intentional. What crime have you committed?" His words were brilliant! The jade cup was already shattered, and could not be restored. Scolding and beating the culprit would only create an enemy, embarrass the guests, and ruin a perfectly good gathering, severely damaging his own image. Han Qi's words, however, immediately won everyone's praise, and the culprit was so grateful he would be willing to serve him like a slave.

    When discussing Han Qi, Wu Liang of the Yuan Dynasty said, "Han Qi possessed extraordinary magnanimity, was inherently simple and honest, and did not concern himself with trivial matters. His achievements were unparalleled, and he rose to the highest ranks of officialdom, yet he was never complacent; he frequently navigated the unpredictable dangers of officialdom, yet he was never worried. No matter the circumstances, he remained calm and composed, not swayed by external factors, and never engaged in deceit or falsehood throughout his life. In his dealings with the world, when he was highly regarded, he stood up to the court and discussed matters fairly with the officials; when he was not, he returned home to enjoy family life—all stemming from sincerity." Han Qi spent his life in perilous situations, yet remained undefeated. Why was this? As he himself said, "Nothing in the world is entirely as one wishes; one must approach it with a peaceful mind. Otherwise, one cannot even survive a single day. Even when with petty people, one must treat them with sincerity. However, knowing they are petty, one should simply avoid contact with them." This is the secret to Han Qi's superior conduct.

    In the 1950s, many Taiwanese businessmen, knowing that Yu Youren was a famous calligrapher, hung signs bearing his calligraphy at the entrances of their companies, shops, and restaurants to attract customers. However, very few of these signs were actually written by Yu Youren; most were forgeries.

    One day, a student rushed to see Yu Youren, saying, "Teacher, I went to a small restaurant I often go to for lunch today, and I was shocked to find they've put up a sign with your calligraphy on it! They're blatantly deceiving people and stealing your name! Isn't that infuriating?" Yu Youren, who was practicing calligraphy, said "Oh," put down his brush, and then slowly asked, "Is the calligraphy on their sign good?" "I won't say it's good," the student complained, "I don't know where they found someone to write it; the characters are crooked and ugly. And they even signed your name below! Even I feel ashamed looking at it!"

    "This won't do!" Yu Youren pondered. "Tell me which restaurant you usually go to. What's special about their food? What's the name of the place?"

    "It's a noodle shop. It's small, but the food is clean. Especially the mutton soup with bread—it's very authentic. The shop is called 'Mutton Soup with Bread Restaurant.'"

    "Uh..." Yu Youren remained silent.

    “I’ll go pick it down,” the student said, turning to leave, but Yu Youren called him back.

    “Wait, wait a minute.”

    Yu Youren casually picked up a sheet of Xuan paper from beside his desk, grabbed a brush, and quickly wrote something on it. He then handed it to the student waiting nearby, saying, “Go and give this to the shop owner.”

    The student took the paper and was stunned. On it, written in bold, flowing strokes, were several large characters: “Lamb Stew Restaurant,” followed by the smaller characters “Inscribed by Yu Youren,” and a personal seal.

    “Teacher, what is this…” the student asked, utterly bewildered.

    "Haha," Yu Youren laughed, stroking his long beard, "Didn't you just say that the calligraphy on that fake signboard was truly appalling? This impersonation is certainly hateful, but it at least shows that he still thinks highly of my calligraphy. It's just that people who don't know the real thing might see the fake signboard and think that my calligraphy is really that bad. Wouldn't I be at a loss? I can't ruin my own reputation! So, to help you out completely, I'll trouble you to make a trip and replace that fake one, how about that?"

    "Ah, I understand, student obeys." The student, his anger turning to joy, hurriedly left with Yu Youren's calligraphy. And so, the owner of this mutton stew restaurant actually exchanged a fake signboard for the calligraphy of the contemporary great calligrapher Yu Youren. Overjoyed, he couldn't help but feel ashamed.

    This shows that "every path has its rules, and every profession has its regulations," and being a person is no exception. Approaching people and things with a peaceful mindset is in line with objective requirements, because humility is the key to success.

    If you can take

    things on, you must be able to let them go. The world is inherently peaceful; it's the mediocre who create their own troubles. In dealing with people and things, don't take everything to heart. Being able to take things on and let them go naturally leads to a cheerful state of mind. Whether in good times or bad, success or failure, life or death, having your own convictions brings a unique perspective and understanding, thus leading to happiness and freedom from worry.

    According to historical records, once, Fan Zhongxuan (Fan Zhongyan's son) held a farewell banquet for his disciples and invited the Cheng brothers (Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi) to the gathering. It was customary at the time for prominent figures to invite courtesans to entertain with wine and music to demonstrate their refinement, so Fan Zhongxuan also invited local courtesans to provide entertainment.

    After the Cheng brothers arrived at the banquet hall and exchanged greetings with the other scholars, they were about to take their seats when they noticed several beautifully made-up women standing to the side. Cheng Hao, always magnanimous, said nothing. Cheng Yi felt insulted. He immediately bowed to his host, saying, "I apologize, I was in a hurry and forgot an important matter. Please excuse me!" Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left.

    Cheng Yi always respected his elder brother, but when he saw Cheng Hao the next day, he was furious and said, "Those people yesterday were all descendants of sages, pillars of the state, and local officials. Instead of educating the people, serving the country, and promoting the sage's way, they indulged in prostitution and self-destruction!" Cheng Hao had also opposed inviting courtesans; he had only reluctantly agreed to yesterday's invitation. Seeing his brother's seriousness, he smiled and said, "You! You! When I drank with you all, though there were courtesans in the room, I had no courtesans in my heart. Your strictness is sincere, but it doesn't mean you understand the Way!"

    Hearing his brother's words, Cheng Yi realized he had indeed gone too far, and that his brother was more magnanimous.

    From this story, we can see both Cheng Yi's meticulousness and Cheng Hao's insightful understanding. Cheng Yi felt indignant at a social banquet, but Cheng Hao remained unmoved, demonstrating his high level of self-cultivation.

    Goethe said, "A person cannot always be a hero or a victor, but a person can always be a person." Here, "being a hero or a victor" refers to the state of being able to "take on responsibilities"; while "being a person" refers to the state of being able to "let go." A man

    came to visit Master Hongxing of the Third Ancestor Temple, carrying a vase in one hand.

    The Master said to him, "Put it down!"

    The man then put down the vase he was holding in his left hand.

    The Master said again, "Put it down!"

    The man then put down the vase he was holding in his right hand as well.

    The monk still told him, "Let go!"

    The man said, "Master, I've already let go of everything I could. My hands are empty now, there's nothing left to let go of. What exactly do you want me to let go of?"

    The monk said, "What I told you to let go of, you haven't let go of anything; what I didn't tell you to let go of, you've let go of everything. Whether you let go of the vase or not is not important. What I want you to let go of is the clutter in your heart. Your heart has been filled with these things. Only by letting go of these things can you free yourself from the shackles of life and understand true life."

    The man finally understood and nodded.

    Master Hongxing concluded, "Letting go sounds easy, but it's very difficult to do. Some people pursue fame and fortune, and they can't let go of fame; they have money, and they can't let go of money; they have love, and they can't let go of love; they have jealousy, and they can't let go of jealousy. How many people in the world can truly 'let go'?"

    The pressure in one's mind is heavier than the vase in one's hands. "Letting go" is undoubtedly a wonderful way to pursue happiness.

    In one's life, there are many things we need to let go of. Mencius said, "One cannot have both fish and bear's paw." If it is not something we should possess, we should discard it. Life's journey of several decades will involve mountains and rivers, storms and sunshine. With gain comes loss; only by letting go can we achieve maturity and live a more fulfilling, serene, and relaxed life.

    Let go of what is irretrievable, because regret and remorse are futile. Rather than struggling and wasting time in pain, it is better to find a new goal and strive again.

    Be patient and unhurried; true strength

    is

    revealed in slow and steady progress. Haste makes waste. Great achievements are not built in a day, and similarly, great success and profound knowledge are not attained overnight.

    In ancient times, there was a man named Yang Youji who was skilled in archery, possessing the ability to hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces. It is said that even animals knew of his skill. Once, two monkeys were happily playing, climbing up and down a pillar. The King of Chu drew his bow and arrow to shoot them, but the monkeys remained calm, even making faces at the man, continuing to leap and bound freely. At this moment, Yang Youji came over, took the bow and arrow from the King of Chu, and the monkey cried and huddled together, trembling with fear.

    A man greatly admired Yang Youji's archery skills and was determined to become his student. After several requests, Yang Youji finally agreed. Yang Youji gave him a very thin needle and told him to hold it a few feet away from his eye and stare at the eye of the needle all day long. After two or three days, the student became a little puzzled and asked his teacher, "I came here to learn archery, why are you making me do this inexplicable thing? When will you teach me archery?"

    Yang Youji said, "This is how you learn archery. Keep watching."

    The student, full of doubt, continued to stare at the eye of the needle. But after a few days, he became annoyed. He thought, "I came here to learn archery, what can I learn from looking at the eye of a needle? Is this teacher just trying to fool me?" Unexpectedly, Yang Youji then had him hold a stone flat in his palm all day long, with his arm outstretched. This was arduous work, and the apprentice couldn't understand it. He thought, "I only want to learn his archery skills, why is he making me carry this stone?" He became resentful and refused to practice anymore. Yang Youji, seeing his incompetence, let him go. Later, this man studied with other teachers, but ultimately failed to learn archery, having traveled to many places in vain.

    In fact, if he had been more grounded, less ambitious, and willing to start from the basics, his archery skills would certainly have improved significantly.

    Farmers harvest crops, and scholars accumulate knowledge over many years, just as birds tirelessly nurture their eggs day and night, using their body heat to develop the embryo into a chick; just as swallows build their nests, accumulating strength over time—all emphasize slow and steady progress. Masters possess profound skill, every move perfectly executed. But we, no matter how hard we try to learn, cannot replicate this, and often end up making things worse. Calm down and think about those who are good at Tai Chi. Those master-level practitioners all have a set of "slow kung fu" that is pleasing to the eye and shows great skill in using stillness to control movement.

    Zeng Guofan applied this principle to his conduct and affairs. He believed that success requires a process; one cannot rush, for rushing easily leads to failure; nor can one be too slow, for others can easily overtake. To master the balance of speed and slowness, two things are crucial: timing and ability. Zeng Guofan understood the value of "slow work," and therefore, in his conduct and affairs, he always remembered that "haste makes waste," demonstrating true strength through slow and deliberate effort.

    With the accelerated pace of modern life, a significant shift in people's mentality has occurred: everyone is too eager for fame, profit, and success. What is short-sightedness? It is the eager pursuit of short-term effects without regard for long-term consequences; the pursuit of immediate gains without regard for fundamental principles. Short-sightedness is a common problem for many. Perhaps we can glean something valuable from Zeng Guofan's philosophy of success.

    Zeng Guofan advocated "winning through slowness," which can be simply described as "slow work." Great achievements are not built in a day, and similarly, great success and profound knowledge are not attained overnight. Superficial people who discuss the success of others, focusing only on one or two earth-shattering, extraordinary events, are making a grave mistake.

    As the saying goes, "Haste makes waste." In life and in work, patience and a step-by-step approach are essential. Those who achieve great things all guard against "impatience." Only through steady and practical action can one create a successful life. Impatience will cloud your judgment; if it dominates your thinking during your struggle, you will be unable to formulate correct strategies and make steady progress. Therefore, anyone aspiring to great things must curb their impatience; only through diligent and practical work can they achieve their goals. There are

    no

    shortcuts to the top; the road to success is never smooth, and being impatient for quick results may lead to nothing. If one is impatient for quick success and instant benefits, one will inevitably be short-sighted, only seeing the immediate situation, blindly following worldly trends, lacking ambition, and believing that eating well, dressing well, and having fun are all that matters. To achieve these things, one may resort to any means, disregarding shame, racking one's brains constantly, always seeking shortcuts, throwing all

    notions of personality, dignity, virtue, integrity, and soul to the winds. Qin Mu, in his essay "Drawing Eggs and Practicing Skills," said, "One must lay a solid foundation before building a house; this principle is very simple. But the mentality of aiming too high and seeking shortcuts often prevents people from recognizing this most basic truth." In terms of worldly strategy, "All skills can bring fame, but those without skills suffer the most; a single skill is enough to establish oneself, but those with many skills toil the most."

    If one only dabble in everything, unwilling to delve deeper, yet expects immediate results, it is impossible. Those who aim too high are not necessarily mediocre; many possess excellent qualities. If they can combine these with their own realities and formulate practical action plans, they will have a bright future. However, if they relentlessly pursue excessively high and distant goals, they will become victims of those very goals.

    Many young people today are dissatisfied with their current jobs, envying the wealthy or high-level white-collar workers, restless in their current positions, and always thinking of changing jobs. In reality, while those people may seem glamorous, the arduous struggles they endure are beyond the capacity of most. Without exceptional abilities, one should not harbor such fantasies. We should be grounded, do solid groundwork, and move forward step by step.

    Precious life is given to each person only once, and how to navigate this precious journey is perhaps the first unsolved mystery since the dawn of humanity. We can design our lives and strive for them; we can design our destiny and work towards it. But life is merely the maintenance and continuation of existence, and destiny is merely the storage and placement of life. Only when the entirety of life resonates and shines brightly within life and destiny does the meaning of life and destiny truly manifest itself.

    Life is a journey, and every step should be taken seriously, without wasting time or leaving empty spaces. In this way, when you look back, you won't regret wasting your years or feel ashamed of a life lived in mediocrity.

    Therefore, whether in life or in work, we should take each step steadily.

    Overcoming Impatience

    : Impatience is an irrational emotion, an unhealthy mindset, and a poor mental outlook.

    Looking around today's society, with its many changes, temptations, fast pace, and vibrant colors, it's inevitable that it will negatively impact our thoughts and minds, objectively providing fertile ground for impatience. However, whether a person is impatient depends on the nobility of their ideals and interests, and whether they can control themselves, remain unmoved by temptations, avoid being misled by confusion, endure loneliness, and sit on the sidelines patiently.

    The Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote in his poem "Pine at the Bottom of the Ravine": "There is a pine tree a hundred feet tall and ten spans in circumference, growing at the bottom of the ravine, cold and lowly... The high are not necessarily virtuous, the low are not necessarily foolish. Do you not see coral growing deep in the sea, and white elms planted in the sky?" Throughout history, those who have achieved great things have

    invariably been people of composure and tranquility. Only by taking root can one achieve something. Facing a constantly changing society, we must meet it head-on, but more importantly, we must have a "calm mind like a mirror," avoiding

    being frivolous or impetuous. We must live out our true selves with a steady, grounded, and earnest demeanor! Why do we become restless? Restlessness stems from adversity. When a person's mood is not in harmony, they are prone to restlessness. How can we avoid restlessness? There is a secret: tolerance. Regardless of your background or your nature, the world you face is a masculine world. Compared to this world, the individual is too insignificant. If you confront it head-on, you may suffer serious consequences. The wisest choice is to overcome strength with gentleness. Appear with gentleness, appear with weakness.

    Of course, some things, even if you tolerate them, won't last. Like hurricanes, like hail... But if you're not tolerant, if you're impetuous, you'll be in danger. For example, if you step on the ice when it's still thin, you'll sink. But if you're patient and wait, the ice will thicken, and then you can step on it without danger.

    To avoid impetuosity, we must learn to be reserved. And one of the virtues of the Chinese is reserve.

    A broad mind is unperturbed by praise or blame;

    maintaining a calm and ordinary

    mind is something only ordinary people possess. Those who are self-aware of their ordinariness have many advantages: they are humble, studious, diligent, and simple—excellent qualities, a refined spirit, and a wise life. Many people only realize the beauty of such a mind after experiencing setbacks. With a calm and ordinary mind, one can maintain composure and equanimity towards the development and changes of things, and even the ups and downs of life. Su Dongpo once said, "Let life's rain and mist carry me through; looking back at the desolate places I've come from, returning, there is neither wind nor rain, neither sunshine nor gloom." This attitude towards life is the essence of a

    calm and ordinary mind. "Unperturbed by favor or disgrace, watching the flowers bloom and fade in the courtyard; indifferent to coming or going, gazing at the clouds drifting across the sky," is an even more

    transcendent and ordinary mind. In Buddhism, a calm and ordinary mind is essential for spiritual practice. Spiritual practice especially requires avoiding restlessness, hence the many rules and regulations that monasteries and nunneries must uphold,

    demanding that monks possess a calm and ordinary mind. Everything has its limits; nothing should be done to excess, which requires a calm and ordinary mind. Life is inherently ordinary; ordinary people are normal people, and only normal people can possess a calm and ordinary mind. The so-called calm and ordinary mind is not a Buddhist term, but rather another interpretation of "tranquility leads to far-reaching goals, and detachment clarifies one's aspirations."

    There is a question and answer in a history book:

    Question: Does a monk who cultivates the Way still need to exert himself?

    Master: Yes.

    Question: How does one exert oneself?

    Master: When hungry, eat; when sleepy, sleep.

    Question: Everyone does this; do they exert themselves like the Master?

    The master said: They are different.

    The master asked: Why are they different?

    The master said: "He refuses to eat when he eats, demanding a hundred things; he refuses to sleep when he sleeps, calculating a thousand things."

    What's the difference between a monk and an ordinary person? The difference lies in the fact that a monk has a calm and ordinary mind, while an ordinary person has a worldly and restless mind.

    This dialogue tells people to have a calm and ordinary mind, which means not demanding a hundred things or calculating a thousand things in the face of the trivial, boring, and vulgar gains and losses of real life.

    Wang Wei's poem says: "Hibiscus flowers bloom on the treetops, red buds bursting forth in the mountains. The stream is deserted, the flowers bloom and fall in profusion."

    Ordinary life is like that hibiscus flower in Wang Wei's poem. Ordinary life should be about diligence and simplicity, a love of life, and indifference to fame and fortune.

    A calm and ordinary mind is not being discouraged by a failure, not becoming arrogant because of a success, not being petty about money, and not scheming for power.

    A calm and ordinary mind is a state of being. Before reaching this state, the journey is often fraught with hardship. Having traversed perilous peaks and deep valleys, one discovers that life is ever-changing, like a dream, an illusion. Starting from the perspective of life itself, we can make the most rational choices: to cherish life wholeheartedly while experiencing it deeply, to be tolerant and peaceful towards others, adaptable and flexible. Therefore, a calm and ordinary mind not only gives one the magnanimity of the ocean but also the steadfastness of a mountain. In the midst of storms and raging waves, amidst the tumultuous pine forests, the deep sea remains calm and unmoved. Approaching life with such a broad mind means being fearless and never retreating from difficulties. As Zhuge Liang said, "Tranquility reveals one's ambition, serenity leads to far-reaching goals." Facing the rights and wrongs of the world with equanimity, maintaining inner peace while never forgetting the pursuit of ideals and the reverence for precious life.

    Some say that a calm and composed mind is one that remains unperturbed by change, one that is unaffected by honor or disgrace, one that steadfastly upholds its beliefs and works diligently, one that is magnanimous and forgiving, one that acts naturally and without forcing or overstepping boundaries, one that is confident and fearless, one that is composed and free from restlessness and urgency, and one that is a return to simplicity and tranquility. These words truly reflect the wisdom of a wise man.

    A stylish young man was traveling at the seaside when he saw an old fisherman lying half-asleep beside his boat. The fisherman was ragged and pitiful. He was puzzled that the strong fisherman, despite the good weather, hadn't gone out to sea. So he told the fisherman that if he went out to sea more often each day, he could save some of his earnings, and over time, he could accumulate considerable wealth. He tried to persuade the fisherman, finally unable to contain his excitement, saying, "Then I can lie here leisurely, dozing in the sun, gazing at the enchanting sea." The fisherman replied, "I have everything you described. I'm already sitting here peacefully by the sea; if you hadn't woken me, I could be sleeping even better!"

    Life is short; fame and fortune are external things, brought into this world and taken away at death. Having too much only increases our burden; it's better to travel light, be content with whatever comes, and be an ordinary person. Remain calm in the face of

    honor and disgrace, and maintain self-control .

    Don't take fame and fortune too seriously; doing so easily leads to obsession and relentless pursuit. This will cause suffering when you don't achieve them, and you'll lose many valuable things when you do.

    In life, one should remain calm in the face of honor and disgrace, not becoming arrogant and reckless in success, nor despondent and defeated in failure. This way, there will be no desolation from setbacks or fervent elation from success, allowing you to eliminate distractions and focus on your goals.

    Guo Ziyi was a renowned general in the mid-Tang Dynasty. He distinguished himself in battles such as suppressing the An Lushan Rebellion, for which Emperor Suzong of Tang enfeoffed him as the Prince of Fenyang, and Emperor Daizong of Tang bestowed upon him a "golden certificate" granting him immunity from death for serious crimes. Emperor Dezong of Tang further honored him with the title "Shangfu" (尚父), avoiding his personal name as a sign of respect. However, Guo Ziyi never became arrogant or sought special privileges because of his achievements. When Emperor Daizong appointed him as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, he repeatedly declined, saying, "This is an official position held by Emperor Taizong, which is why subsequent dynasties did not establish this office. How can I be asked to break this tradition? In recent years, due to war, the bestowal of official titles has been excessive. Now that the rebellion has been somewhat quelled, it is necessary to review and rectify this. Please let this old minister begin."

    Emperor Daizong found his reasoning sound and relented. Guo Ziyi consistently supported the court, did his utmost to suppress rebellions, and made significant contributions to maintaining national unity.

    Don't blindly compare yourself to others.

    On the banks of the Rhine, a young man paced back and forth dejectedly. He was troubled and even contemplated jumping into the river to end his life.

    Yet, he couldn't bear to leave this world. As he hesitated, a pastor passed by and stopped to ask, "Young man, what's troubling you?"

    The young man sighed deeply and said, "My name is Ryan. I'm nearly 30, have accomplished nothing, am penniless, and have a wife at home who's sallow-faced and repulsive. I've had enough of this life." The pastor smiled and asked, "Mr. Ryan, what are your ideals? Tell me, and I'll see if I can help you achieve them." Ryan said, "I once had three ideals: wealth, power, and beautiful women." The pastor smiled and said, "Ryan, that's easy. Come with me!" With that, he turned and walked away. Ryan was overjoyed and followed closely behind.

    The pastor led Lane to the mansion of the world's super-rich man, White. There, he found White lying in bed, coughing loudly, his face ashen, with a bowl of blood-tinged phlegm in front of him. The pastor turned to Lane and said, "Mr. White sacrificed his health in pursuit of wealth. To obtain it, he exerted himself beyond his limits, and in the end, he gained wealth but collapsed from exhaustion. He doesn't know that his three sons are praying for his early ascension so they can inherit his fortune."

    The pastor then led Lane to another room, where White's three sons were drinking with several beautiful women, indulging in a life of debauchery. Lane felt utterly disgusted and turned away. The pastor said to Lane, "Let's go visit Speaker Spear next!"

    The two then went to Spear's residence, where he was surrounded by several men, clearly bodyguards. When Spear ate, the bodyguards tasted first; when Spear slept, the bodyguards stared intently at him; even when Spear went to the toilet, they squatted beside the toilet. The pastor said to Ryan, "Spiel has many political enemies. He could easily be targeted if he's not careful. Even when he goes for a walk, his bodyguards are always by his side." Ryan sighed and said disappointedly, "Then what's the difference between him and being in prison?" The pastor shook his head helplessly and said, "Let's go see the most popular and sexiest actress of our time, Brescia." With that, he led Ryan to Brescia's house.

    Brescia was yelling at a Filipino maid. She even picked up her cigarette butt and pressed it against the maid's body. The maid's skin quickly blistered, but she endured it without daring to groan. The pastor whispered to Lane, "If he screams, he'll face even harsher punishment." After tormenting the maid, Bress was about to go to her room when a maid came in and said, "Miss, Mr. Berg requests an audience." Without even lifting her eyelids, Bress ordered, "Tell him to get out. I've divorced him today, and we have nothing to do with each other anymore." The maid cautiously agreed and was about to leave when Bress added, "And please give him a message: I'm marrying my twelfth husband tomorrow. If he's interested, he can come to our wedding." With that, she slammed the door shut.

    Lane stared in disbelief. After leaving Brace's house, the pastor asked Ryan, "Young man, choose any one of these three dreams, and I can grant them to you." Ryan thought for a moment and said, "No, Pastor, I lack nothing. Compared to Mr. White, I have health that all his money couldn't buy; compared to Mr. Spear, I have freedom he lacks; as for Brace, my wife is far more virtuous and kind..." The pastor extended his hand in satisfaction to shake Ryan's, and Ryan smiled broadly, a warm ray of sunshine falling upon them.

    In life, everyone has things that are not as they wish. Perhaps we should look at things from a different perspective; you'll find that you lack nothing, and what you should envy most is yourself.