A man fond of movement is like lightning flashing through the clouds, ephemeral. He flickers like a candle flame in the wind. On the other hand, a man devoted to quietude is like dead ashes or a blighted tree stump, bereft of all vitality.
The essence of the Dao is found in movement within stillness and stillness within movement. Movement and rest must complement each other, like hawks flitting through stationary clouds or fish leaping in the still waters of a pond.
好动者云电风灯，嗜寂者死灰槁木；须定云止水中，有“鸢飞鱼跃”气象，才是有道的心体。
Notes
Imbalance Between Motion and Stillness: The Lost Mind
- The Restless: Their flaw lies in being dragged by externals, lacking inner stability. Chasing stimulation, they seem fulfilled yet rootless–adrift like “clouds, lightning, wind-blown lamps,” exhausting themselves in chaos.
- The Reclusive: Their error substitutes escape for depth, stifling vitality. Seeking peace through isolation, they become numb as “dead ashes, withered trees.” True stillness is not inaction but order within motion; without passion for life, stillness becomes a prison.
Dynamic equilibrium: Essence of the Cultivated Mind
- “Still clouds, calm waters”: Represents inner stability and clarity–born of self-awareness and control, anchoring the mind amid turmoil.
- “Hawks soaring, fish leaping”: Symbolizes outward vitality and adaptability–unbound by stillness, actively engaging with change. This springs from love and acceptance of life, maintaining core integrity without rigidity.
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