Favor and patronage can lead to mischief.
Thus in times of pleasant goodwill,
It is important to be constantly on guard.
The aftermath of failure can be the success.
Thus when things go contrary, don’t lose heart.
When human sounds are hushed late in the night,
I sit alone and examine my heart-mind.
Delusions seem to lift and abruptly my true person appears.
At such moments, a great opportunity seems to draw near.
But with truth becoming manifest my delusion still persist after all, and I feel great shame…
The universe seems silent and unmoving,
Yet its natural functions never cease.
The sun and moon hurry along day and night,
Yet there brightness never diminishes.
By the same token, the noble person is alert while at leisure, and makes time for “tasteful” pursuits when busy with duties.
Rich wine, fatty meats, spicy and sweet foods don’t have true flavour.
True flavour is actually quite bland.
The sage is not an exotic super person.
The true sage is actually ordinary.
Birds are ill at ease in high winds and pelting rain,
Grasses and trees rejoice in sunshine and gentle breezes.
Just as heaven and earth needs harmony every day,
So every day the human heart needs happiness.
If treacherous talk constantly assails your ears and hostility constantly troubles your heart,
use this power as whetstones of moral cultivation.
If every word fell pleasantly on your ears and every event gladdened your heart,
then your entire life would be mired in venomous poison.
