A favour received inevitably brings harm in its wake. When you feel gratified, stop forging ahead, and turn round promptly.
It is equally true that accomplishment may follow defeat. Therefore, do not give up halfway when feeling terribly upset.
恩里由来生害，故快意时须早回首；
败后或反成功，故拂心处莫便放手。
Notes
This passage from Cai Gen Tan(Tending the roots of wisdom) uses concise yet philosophical language to reveal two common life scenarios and their resolutions, embodying the Confucian “Doctrine of the Mean” and the Daoist wisdom that “things reverse upon reaching their extreme”.
Vigilance in Peace, Restraint in Success
In favorable times, people easily grow prideful and complacent, while calamity often lurks beneath seemingly glorious surfaces. Thus, the smoother one’s path, the more essential it is to remain clear-headed, practice moderation (“knowing where to stop”), and prevent self-sabotage through unchecked arrogance.
Failure is Not the End: Perseverance Turns Setbacks into Triumph
Life is never without storms; setbacks are inevitable. Yet within failure often lie new opportunities. The key lies in one’s attitude — persevering through adversity, reflecting, adapting, and ultimately turning the tide.
Life’s Tidal Rhythms: Balance in Rise and Fall
This text reflects the traditional Chinese philosophy of “reversal at the climax” and “decline after prosperity”. Life’s fluctuations follow natural laws, with peaks and valleys alternating. Hence, we should meet both fortune and misfortune with equanimity — neither growing arrogant in success nor despairing in defeat.
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