The classic sentences in "Cai Gen Tan" include:

1. The wind comes and thins the bamboos, but the wind passes by but the bamboo leaves no sound; the wild geese cross the cold pond, the wild geese leave but leave no trace on the pond. Therefore, when things come, a gentleman's mind begins to appear; when things go, his mind becomes empty.

Translation: When the wind blows through the sparse bamboo forest, it will make a rustling sound. After the wind passes, the bamboo forest will still return to silence without leaving the sound;

When the wild geese When flying over the cold pond, the wild geese were reflected on the surface of the pond, but after the geese flew over, the pond was still crystal clear and no trace of the wild geese was left behind. Therefore, a gentleman will show his true nature when faced with a problem, but after the matter is dealt with, his heart will return to peace.

2. Don’t be surprised by favor or disgrace, just watch the flowers blooming and falling in front of the court; have no intention of leaving or leaving, just follow the clouds rolling and relaxing in the sky.

Translation: I don’t care whether it is glory or humiliation, I just enjoy the blooming and declining flowers in the courtyard leisurely; I don’t care whether I am promoted or demoted, I just watch the clouds in the sky unwind freely. .

3. True integrity has no reputation, and those who establish it are greedy; great skill has no skill, and those who use it are clumsy.

Translation: A truly honest person does not compete with others for reputation, but cannot establish a reputation for integrity. Those who build reputation everywhere do so just for the sake of fame. A truly smart person does not show off his talents, so he looks stupid. Those who show off their intelligence do so just to cover up their stupidity.

4. When the utensils are full, they are filled, and when the utensils are full, they are empty. Therefore, a gentleman would rather live in everything than to live in everything, and would rather live in everything that is lacking than to be complete in everything.

Translation: The pail overturned because it was filled with water, and the pail was saved because it was empty. Therefore, a gentleman with high moral character would rather be in a position where there is no fight and do nothing than stand in a place where there is competition. He would rather feel lacking in daily life than be too happy.

5. A person who is indifferent will be suspected by those who are showy; a person who shows off will be jealous of those who are unbridled. A gentleman here must change his behavior and show his sharpness!

Translation: A person with profound talents and virtues who can be indifferent to his ambition will definitely be suspected by those who are passionate about fame and fortune. , A true gentleman who is careful in his words and deeds will often suffer from the jealousy of those villains who are evil, indulgent and unscrupulous.

So if a talented, learned and cultivated gentleman is unfortunate enough to be in such a harsh environment where he is both suspected and hated, he cannot slightly change his ethics and ambitions, but he can also Never over-express your talents and integrity.