When spring arrives the weather turns mild. Flowers blossom, carpeting the earth. The birds sing beautiful canticles of praise.
Scholars rejoice to find their names on the lists of successful examination candidates. They are finely clad and eat their fill. At such a time, if they do not turn their attention to worthy words and deeds, even if they were to live one hundred years, it would be of no more significance than living for only one day.
春至时和，花尚铺一段好色，鸟且啭几句好音。士君子幸列头角，复遇温饱，不思立好言行好事，虽是在世百年恰似未生一日。
Notes
Nature’s intrinsic purpose
Flowers inherently adorn spring with color; birds instinctively offer song. Their value lies in fulfilling their natural role without hesitation.
Humanity’s ethical imperative
The scholar-gentleman, blessed with talent and comfort, bears a profound duty: to uplift society through wisdom and action.
Failure to contribute equals to spiritual death: A life squandered in passive comfort is as if never born.
Ultimate Wisdom:
This passage from Cai Gen Tan – Tending the roots of wisdom reveals that privilege is not for indulgence but for service.
Nature’s smallest creatures honor their purpose; How much more must humans of advantage honor theirs?
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