Self-cultivation requires a mind impervious to outside allurements, as if it were made of wood or stone.
Tempted by profit and fame, one will fall a victim to greed.
One who wishes to save his people and benefit his country must have the temperament of a mendicant monk. One who seeks fame and wealth will be surrounded by hidden dangers.
进德修道，要个木石的念头，若一有欣羡，便趋欲境；济世经邦，要段云水的趣咏，若一有贪著，便坠危机。
Notes
Self-Cultivation: “Wood-Stone Resolve” to guard authenticity
Cultivating virtue demands inward focus — refining character by purging distractions. “Wood-stone resolve” signifies unwavering integrity: detached, unmoved by external validation. If admiration stirs (e.g., craving praise or comparing achievements), desire corrupts the process, reducing virtue to performance.
Governance: “Cloud-Water Spirit” to transcend attachment
Serving society requires outward action grounded in selfless fluidity. Clouds and water embody adaptability: acting without clinging, achieving without possessing. Clouds and water also refers to mendicant monk in Chinese tradition.
Govern like water — flowing with circumstance; lead like clouds — serving without ego. Greed for power or legacy distorts this: forcing outcomes, inviting corruption, and breeding crisis.
Unifying Wisdom: Detachment as the Foundation
Though addressing inner/outer pursuits, both share one truth: freedom from attachment precedes success. Clinging to “virtue’s reputation” voids true cultivation; obsessing over “governance legacy” sabotages real service.
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