If you are able to keep quiet in a noiseless place, that kind of quietness does not count for much; only the quietness that is obtained from hard work accords completely with man’s nature.
If you are able to keep happy on a joyous occasion, that is not happiness in the real sense; only the happiness gained in misery is the source of vitality for man’s body and soul.
静中静非真静，动处静得来，才是性天之真境；乐处乐非真乐，苦中乐得来，才是心体之真机。
Notes
This passage from Cai Gen Tan – Tending the roots of wisdom contrasts superficial versus authentic states of being:
- “True stillness” is not mere absence of noise but inner equilibrium maintained during chaos. It reflects mastery over the mind’s turbulence.
- “True joy” is not fleeting pleasure but resilient contentment forged in adversity. It unveils the heart’s unshakable core.
The text emphasizes that authenticity is tested in opposition:
- Serenity proves its depth when undisturbed by external motion;
- Joy reveals its purity when undimmed by suffering.
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