Indifference leads to ambition, tranquility leads to ambition

Indifference leads to ambition, tranquility leads to ambition

Only by belittling worldly fame and wealth can one make clear one's ambition; only by being peaceful in body and mind can one realize his lofty ideal.

Phonetic notation

dànbóyǐmíngzhì，níngjìngyǐzhìyuǎn

interpretation

Indifference: indifference; tranquility: tranquility; to: achievement. It means: only by not pursuing fame and wealth can we have lofty aspirations, stable and quiet mentality, not be influenced by miscellaneous thoughts, meditate and reflect, and set (achieve) lofty goals.

Source text

In Huainanzi zhushuxun, written by Liu An of the Western Han Dynasty, it is said that "if it is not simple and thin, it is not moral; if it is not peaceful, it is not far; if it is not broad, it is not comprehensive; if it is not kind, it is not considerate; if it is not fair, it is not decisive." A gentleman should be quiet to cultivate his morality and thrifty to cultivate his virtue. If you are not indifferent, you will not be able to express your ambition. If you are not quiet, you will not be able to achieve far. A man must be quiet when he studies, and then he must learn. There is no talent without learning, and there is no learning without ambition. Obscenity and slowness can't stimulate the spirit, danger and irritability can't cure the nature. Years and time, meaning and day go, then become withered, many do not receive the world. What can we do if we are sad to stay in poverty? ——Zhu Geliang's book of admonishment

notes

① Indifference: indifference, no pursuit of fame and wealth. 2. Inspiring: inspiring. ③ treatment: repair and nourish. receiving the world: helping the world, which means doing something to the society and benefiting the society.

translation

What a person with both ability and political integrity does depends on his inner peace and concentration to cultivate his body and mind, and on his frugal style to cultivate his moral character. If you are restless and lustless, you can't show your ambition. If you are restless and quiet, you can't have lofty ideals. Learning must be focused and talents must be acquired through learning. If you don't study hard, you can't have broad talents. If you don't have clear ambition, you can't get achievements in learning. Indulgence and laziness can't inspire spirit, frivolity and impetuousness can't cultivate character. As time goes by and will goes by, it will be like withered branches and leaves. Most of them are of little use to society. At that time, how can it be in time to guard the poor cottage and sigh with sorrow and regret?

Examples

As long as we have the mentality of "indifference to ambition, tranquility to distance", we can calmly cope with all setbacks and difficulties.