1. Ask the canal where it can be so clear, so that there is a source of living water.

Translation: Why is there always clear water in the channel? It is because there is living water flowing out continuously from the source!

It tells us that we must be down-to-earth and practice, and we cannot stop studying.

2. Therefore, the most important thing in cultivating oneself and governing a country is abstinence. It is said: "Desire cannot be indulged." Historically, if there is a family or a country, all gains are due to frugality; all losses are due to luxury. The frugal are abstinent, the extravagant are indulgent. Those who indulge in excess are in danger, those who are abstinent are safe. (Volume 47·Political Theory)

Translation Therefore, there is nothing more important than self-cultivation and governing the country than controlling desires. The Jing Zhuan (Book of Rites) says: "Desires should not be indulged." Looking at the leaders of families and countries, all their successes are due to diligence and thrift; all their failures are due to extravagance and waste. Thrifty people restrain their desires, while luxurious people indulge their emotions. Those who indulge their emotions are in danger, while those who restrain their desires are safe.

3. Fuli is the birth of all things, and it is carried by heaven and earth. If there is a special one, it will cause many harms. (Volume 11·Historical Records 1)

Translation The goods itself is produced by all things and bred by heaven and earth. If someone wants to monopolize it, it will cause a lot of disasters.

4. The destiny is called nature, the will is called Tao, and the practice of Tao is called teaching. The Tao cannot be separated for a moment, but it is not the Tao to be separated. (Volume 7·Book of Rites)

Translation: The inherent goodness that everyone possesses is called Xing, the behavior that follows the expression of nature is called Dao, and the practice of correcting oneself and influencing others by the standards of Dao is called teaching. Tao cannot be left at any time, and what can be left is not Tao.

5. If you get something quickly, you will die of illness, if you get it late, you will die well. The grass that blooms in the morning falls in the evening; the luxuriance of pines and cypresses persists in the cold weather. Therefore, the elegant gentleman will become evil quickly. (Volume 26 Wei Zhi)

Translation Generally speaking, if things grow fast, they will decline quickly. Only slow and timely growth will bring good results. Plants that bloom in the morning will wither in the evening; lush pines and cypresses will not wither even in the cold winter. Therefore, a gentleman with high moral standards does not seek quick results.