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The Master spoke of Gongzi Jing of Wei, saying, “He was good at managing his household. When he first had a little, he said, ‘It’s sufficient enough.’ When he had a bit more, he said, ‘It’s complete enough.’ When he became wealthy, he said, ‘It’s beautiful enough.’”
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Amidst the great classics of Chinese philosophy and literature, Cai Gen Tan (Vegetable Root Talks, Roots of Wisdom or Tending the Roots of Wisdom) occupies a unique place – it is not an epic novel, a dense philosophical treatise, or a religious scripture, but a collection of pithy, practical maxims for navigating life.
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5.11 The Master said, “I have never yet seen a man who was truly steadfast.”
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In stillness, a person’s thoughts are as clear as water, and his true heart can be seen to the bottom.
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Do not scramble for favour and profit; do not lag behind in virtue and accomplishments.
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Real flavour does not lie in refined liquors or sumptuous dishes; only plain food gives forth a pure taste.
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“The Treasury Official” is a concise yet profound short story from Strange Tales from Liaozhai (Liaozhai Zhiyi). Through the mysterious figure of a “Treasury Official of the Netherworld,” it showcases Pu Songling’s philosophical reflections on fate, wealth, and the vicissitudes of life.
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When the Dao prevails in the world, they send back their swift horses to (draw) the dung-carts. When the Dao is disregarded in the world, the war-horses breed in the border lands.There is no guilt greater than to sanction ambition; no calamity greater than to be discontented with one’s lot; no fault greater than…