Do Not Compete, and You Will Be at Peace; Want Nothing, and You Will Find Tranquility

A modest person, like wielding a feather, can carry the world, embracing everything as if holding a pinch of dust. They harbor the aspirations of all under the heavens as if grasping a small handful. With a clear mind and untainted thoughts, they move with serenity, their brows undisturbed, their breath constantly regulated. A modest person, throughout their life, is like sipping tea – the water is boiling, the heart is still. A few cups, a pot, a secluded dwelling, shallow sips, they regard the fleeting splendor of the world like mist, dissolving and dissipating. A low-key life is an endless elegance.

Some people are like lotus flowers, meant only for distant viewing; others are like tea, meant to be savored; still others are like the wind, not to be concerned about; and some are like trees, to be relied upon. We shouldn't be confined to a single mold; no one is a copy or projection of your imagination, and we shouldn't dictate to others what they should or shouldn't do, or what they should or shouldn't do. Everyone has their preferred way of life; no one is your complete collection. Time is appropriate in its shades; hearts are peaceful at varying distances. We regret too much, and ultimately, everything is forgotten. Life is suffering; you cannot comprehend it. You cannot comprehend the hidden wounds after interpersonal entanglements and struggles, nor the quiet serenity after the bustle and splendor. You also regret it.