It means: There are indeed many people who do well at the beginning, but probably not many who can persist to the end. K: Yes. Gai: Indicates a speculative tone.

From "Ten Thoughts on Admonishing Taizong" by Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty, excerpt from the original text:

Every head of state, who inherits the destiny of the sky, always speaks with worries, but his achievements will be reduced while his virtues will decline. . Those who have a good beginning will be successful, and those who can overcome the end will overwhelm the few. How can it be that it is easy to obtain but difficult to maintain? In the past we had more than enough, but now we have less than enough. Why? When a husband is in trouble, he will treat his subordinates with all his heart. Once he achieves his ambition, he will indulge himself and take pride in things. If you are sincere, Wu and Yue will become one, and if you are arrogant, your flesh and blood will make you travel.

Translation:

All emperors have undertaken great missions given by God. None of them is not deeply worried about the country and has achieved remarkable results in their governance. However, after the success is achieved, the character of the king will decline. Beginning to decline.

It is true that many monarchs did well in the beginning, but probably not many could persevere to the end. Is it because it is easier to gain the world than to hold it? In the past, when we conquered the world, we had more than enough strength, but now we have insufficient strength to defend the world. Why is this?

Usually when you are in deep worries, you will be able to treat your subjects with all your heart. Once you are successful, you will indulge your temperament and look down upon others. With sincerity, one can form a family even if one is in the north or the other in the south. Being arrogant to others will make relatives become strangers.

Extended information

Creative background:

In his later years, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty gradually became arrogant and extravagant, forgetting his roots, overhauling temples and palaces, seeking treasures, and wasting money and people. Wei Zheng was extremely worried about this. He clearly saw the crisis hidden behind the prosperity. In the eleventh year of Zhenguan (637), he published four essays. This article is the second among them, so it is also called "The Second Essay on Current Affairs". . Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty suddenly became alarmed after reading this and wrote "Reply to Wei Zheng's Edict", indicating that he had changed his mind.

Appreciation of the main theme:

This paragraph discusses the pros and cons of different attitudes adopted in different periods such as "in Yin worry" and "vested ambition".

When a monarch is "in trouble", he will be able to treat his subordinates with all sincerity; and if a monarch can be sincere to his subordinates, he will be able to make the monarch and his ministers harmonious and united. When a monarch has a "vested ambition", he often does whatever he wants and looks down upon others; and if a monarch looks down upon others, even relatives will become like passers-by who do not recognize each other.

In this way, from different situations such as "in Yin Long" and "vested ambition", it comes down to the fact that monarchs who stick to their business can easily lose people's hearts. Therefore, Tang Taizong is warned not to look down on others with the dignity of an emperor. Minister, make enmity with others. Because grievances do not lie in big or small, the terrible thing is to have grievances with everyone, just like water can carry a boat but also capsize it, everyone can protect the monarch or overthrow the monarch.

The article is mainly exposition, with the intention of admonishing Taizong to be wary of danger in times of peace, to abstain from extravagance and to be thrifty, and to accumulate virtue. He warned Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty not to look down upon his ministers with the dignity of an emperor and to have grudges with others. Because grievances do not lie in big or small. The terrible thing is to have grievances with everyone. Just like water can carry a boat or capsize it, everyone can protect the monarch or overthrow the monarch.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Admonition to Taizong's Ten Thoughts