It means that you do not have very rich material conditions, but you care about the world, care about current affairs, read a lot of books, and live to learn, so that you can understand the will of the gods. Warn yourself to be diligent and knowledgeable.
This couplet was written by Zuo Zongtang, the leader of the Westernization faction and the Hunan Army in the late Qing Dynasty, when he was fifteen years old.
Zuo Zongtang (1812-1885), a native of Xiangyin, Hunan, was given the courtesy name Jigao and the nickname Xiangshang Nongren. An important minister of the late Qing Dynasty, a military strategist, a statesman, and a representative figure of the Westernization Movement. His official career was governor of Zhejiang, governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and minister of imperial envoy to supervise the military affairs of Xinjiang. He was a bachelor of Dongge University, minister of military aircraft in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War and went to the Prime Minister's Yamen, governor of Liangjiang, minister of Nanyang, and minister of imperial envoy to supervise the military affairs of Fujian. After his death, he was given a posthumous gift to the Queen Mother. Fu, posthumous name Wenxiang. He is the author of "The Camping System of the Chu Army", and his memorials and slips were compiled into "The Complete Works of Duke Zuo Wen and Xiang Gong".
Extended information
The Shanglian talks about determination. The author believes that although his family does not have half an acre of land and his income is difficult to provide for food and clothing, he is deeply concerned about the future and destiny of the country and the nation. Worrying about the world is borrowed from Fan Zhongyan's Yueyang Tower, which means "worry about the world first". His poem "Four Thoughts", "How can a scholar dream of becoming a prince? In order to spread the power of heaven and help bring peace", it also reflects his ambition of "righteousness and the safety of all the people in the world".
The second couplet talks about reading. "Reading thousands of volumes" borrows the meaning of Du Fu's "Twenty-two Rhymes from Wei Zuocheng" "Reading thousands of volumes, writing as if there is a spirit", which expresses the breadth of reading. "Divine friendship" here means that they have not met each other, but they are connected in spirit and admire each other. As Gorky said: "Reading a good book is talking to many noble people." Reading thousands of books is talking to many wise men. The author believes that only by reading widely all kinds of books, asking for advice from ancient sages and benevolent people, and having spiritual exchanges can we develop our talents and apply them in the world. The author also pointed out: "Reading can nourish the mind and body, as long as you work hard and there is no need to rush"
(Zuo Zongtang's family letter: "Yu Xiaowei" on December 1, the 11th year of Xianfeng ) believes that "reading and sitting quietly, nourishing Qi and concentrating the mind" is a good way to prolong life and relieve illness.