4月21日

如何處世
明 耿定向 ( 1524~1597 )
俗情濃豔處，淡得下；俗情苦惱處，耐得下；
俗情抑鬱處，遺得下；俗情耽溺處，撇得下；
俗情擾攘處，閒得下；俗情牽絆處，斬得下；
俗情矜張處，抑得下；俗情侈放處，斂得下；
俗情難忍處，忍得下；俗情難容處，容得下。

──選自《四書選》

April 21th

How to Conduct Oneself
Geng Dingxiang (1524 - 1597, Ming Dynasty)
English translation: Miao Guang

When mundane sentiments become overwhelming,
    we must be able to remain detached.
When mundane sentiments become agonizing,
    we must be able to endure them.
When mundane sentiments become gloomy,
    we must be able to let go.
When mundane sentiments become indulging,
    we must be able to abandon them.
When mundane sentiments become chaotic,
    we must be able to remain at ease.
When mundane sentiments become a shackle,
    we must be able to shatter it.
When mundane sentiments become exaggerating,
    we must be able to restrain them.
When mundane sentiments become unbearable,
    we must be able to bear them.
When mundane sentiments become intolerable,
    we must be able to tolerate them.

── from Sishu Xuan (Selection from Four Books)