Featured Selection: Great People Are Quiet

I really like a sentence from 'The Analects of Sage Maxims': 'When facing major affairs, one must maintain composure. After becoming calm, one can be serene; after being serene, one can contemplate; after contemplating, one can gain.' Ancient sages believed that composure was a cultivation, a temperament, a state of mind, and a kind of wisdom. Only when a person's mind is quiet can they think calmly, judge correctly, and handle matters with equanimity, facing life's various challenges with confidence,
There's a story about a father losing a watch, complaining about searching everywhere, but he couldn't find it. Until he went out, his son quietly entered the room, and within a short time, he found the watch. The father was curious, and the son replied, 'I simply sat quietly and listened to the ticking of the second hand, following that direction to find it.' This is the power of 'inner stillness.' When one is tranquil, they can reflect and introspect, gain enlightenment, and develop wisdom. Of course, 'quiet' doesn't mean being idle and watching; it refers to the psychological tranquility that comes from an open and honest heart, allowing one to remain unperturbed by ambition, free from worldly distractions, and able to think clearly and calmly in response to challenges,
Tranquility leads to depth. One important lesson in life is to slow down and listen to the voice within. Quietness helps us to contemplate life's long-term prospects, hopes, and the blueprint for our dreams. Only with composure can we maintain clarity of thought, think deeply and far-sightedly, perceive the subtlety of heaven and earth, and understand the laws governing all things; it allows us to be detached from fame and fortune, maintain a balanced mind, and possess unwavering resolve, unaffected by gains and losses, and not easily swayed. Only with composure can we cultivate a lofty vision, have a broad perspective, avoid being arrogant from small achievements, and not be discouraged by temporary setbacks, allowing us to handle problems with composure and grace. Only with composure can we cultivate a comprehensive understanding, grasp the essence of things, distinguish between honor and disgrace, play our roles skillfully, and focus wholeheartedly on pursuing excellence. Only with composure can we bravely strive forward without considering fame or fortune, possess high moral character without being self-satisfied, treat others justly and harmoniously, consistently maintain a spirited and elegant demeanor that's difficult to criticize, overturn, or tempt, and continuously challenge and surpass ourselves,
Quietness brings clarity. In today's society where material desires are rampant, many people rush for quick results, which easily leads them to lose themselves in the web of materialism and have a restless mind. Those with a troubled mind and a restless spirit are numerous... Some 'burn the pot before putting it on the lid,' rushing for success, seeking grandiose achievements, and unwilling to build a solid foundation; others 'show their peaks and valleys,' neglecting to work diligently on the truth, making them impractical and unable to execute their ideas. To achieve a state of calm like still water, one must withstand various tests and truly realize one's life's value and aspirations.
'The true flavor of the world comes from stillness.' Composure is a state of being in life, a vital garden for the spirit; it encourages contemplation, provides wisdom, and gives us strength. Only by grasping our own inner selves and learning to quiet our minds can we fully appreciate the beauty that life offers us through all of its blessings.
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