“The courage of a soldier is heightened by his knowledge of his profession.” Quote by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
“When you are but slightly involved in the world, the effect the world has on you is also slight. When you are deeply enmeshed in affairs, you machinations also deepen. So for enlightened people simplicity is better than refinement, and freedom is better than punctiliousness.” PeopleWorldEffectsInvolvedAffairSimplicityEnlightenedTaoismRefinement Author:Zicheng Hong
“People are considered pure of heart when they do not approach power and pomp; but those who can be near without being affected are the purest of all. People are considered high-minded when they do not know how to plot and contrive; but those who know how yet do not do so are the highest of all.” PeopleKnowsHeartKnow HowPureApproachHighestPlotTaoismAffected Author:Zicheng Hong
“When you are constantly hearing offensive words and always have some irritating matter in mind, only then do you have a whetstone for character development. If you hear only what pleases you, and deal only with what thrills you, then you are burying your life in deadly poison.” IfsMindMatterCharacterDealsDevelopmentPleaseHearingPoisonTaoismOffensiveIrritatingCharacter DevelopmentBurying Author:Zicheng Hong
“Late at night, when everyone is quiet, sit alone and gaze into the mind; then you notice illusion ending and reality appearing. You gain a great sense of potential in this every time. Once you have noticed reality appearing yet find that illusion is hard to escape, you also find yourself greatly humbled.” MindHardRealityNightQuietLateIllusionGainsTaoismFinding YourselfAppearing Author:Zicheng Hong
“Blessings often give rise to injury, so be careful when things are going your way. Success may be achieved after failure, so don't just give up when you've been disappointed.” WayGivingMayBlessingGiving UpCarefulInjuryTaoismDisappointedBe CarefulJust Give Up Author:Zicheng Hong
“Those who live simply are often pure, while those who live luxuriously may be slavish and servile. It seems that the will is clarified by plainness, while conduct is ruined by indulgence.” MaySeemsPureTaoismRuinedIndulgenceLive SimplyPlainness Author:Zicheng Hong
“There is a true Buddha in family life; there is a real Tao in everyday activities. If people can be sincere and harmonious, promoting communication with a cheerful demeanor and friendly words, that is much better than formal meditation practice.” PeopleIfsRealPracticeMeditationCommunicationActivityEverydayFriendlyTaoismSincereFormalCheerfulTaoPromotingFamily LifeHarmoniousMeditation PracticeDemeanor Author:Zicheng Hong
“Sometimes when you're trying to do a record too close to home, you can get really distracted.” TryingSometimesHomeRecordsDistracted Author:Norah Jones
“Don't be too severe in criticizing people's faults; consider how much they can bear. Don't be too lofty in enjoining virtue, so people may be able to follow.” PeopleMayAbleVirtueBearsFaultsTaoismCriticizeSevereLofty Author:Zicheng Hong
“A grub in filth is dirty, but it changes into a cicada and sips dew in the autumn breeze. Rotting plants have no luster, but they turn into foxfire and glow in the summer moonlight. So we know that purity emerges from impurity, and light is born from darkness.” KnowsLightTurnsBornDarknessSummerPlantDirtyPurityTaoismAutumnBreezeMoonlightDewFilthRottingImpurityLusterCicadas Author:Zicheng Hong