First, you should not make money with those who are cheap. Don't ask for anything with those who are suspicious.

explanation: those who are greedy for cheap money will inevitably cause unhappiness when making money with them. Suspicious people can't work with him, because the most important thing in cooperation is to be honest with each other, and mutual suspicion can't cooperate.

second, I am not half an acre, and I am worried about the world; Read thousands of books and make friends with the ancients.

explanation: this is Zuo Zongtang's narrative couplet. Part I can be compared with Gu Yanwu's "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world". The second part expresses the interest in keeping up with the lofty ideals of the ancient times. "The ancient scholars are themselves, and today's scholars are human beings." Reading is to get rid of vulgarity and make friends with the sages.

third, make a first-class wish, have a middle-class relationship, and enjoy a second-class blessing; If you choose to stand high, sit flat and walk wide.

explanation: this is a couplet by Zuo Zongtang. Shanglian means to be ambitious, to seek only moderate fate, and to live an ordinary life. To "make a high wish" is to have lofty aspirations and compassion for others; "moderate knot" means adhering to the golden mean and pursuing perfection rather than perfection; "Enjoy the inferior happiness" is to enjoy the real happiness of life and appreciate the fun of life.

The bottom line means to be far-sighted in looking at problems, to be a low-key person and to leave room for things. Only by "choosing a high position" can we be far-sighted; "Sit flat" can eliminate disasters; "Go wide" can be unimpeded.

One of Li Ka-shing's favorite couplets hangs in his office.

fourth, when you are down and out, don't be bullied; When you are successful in official career, you will not be envied.

Explanation: "Don't be bullied" means that people should keep their personal dignity when they are in adversity and embarrassed, and can't accept the humiliation of others; "Don't be envied" means that in prosperity, when you are developed, you should keep a low profile, be humble, and don't be envied.

fifth, it is a mediocrity to be able to endure the weather and polish man of iron without being envied.

explanation: a gentleman should be more frustrated and brave, not bow to difficulties and not give up easily; Don't be a bad guy, be a talented person who can make a difference, and go forward even if you are envied by some people around you.

six, everything is different between heaven and earth, and there is no need to send ancient and modern feelings.

explanation: there are all kinds of things between heaven and earth, and there are reasons for their existence. Everything that is realistic is reasonable, and everything that is reasonable is realistic. Throughout the ages, everything has become empty, asking the vast earth, who is in charge of ups and downs? And I am all alone and my tears fall down!

7. If you don't read a book, you will get a good friend; Reading what you have read is like meeting an old friend.

explanation: reading is to be friends with the ancients, and good books are often read and updated.

8. Being too thrifty and being too generous to others. Everything is simple, and you can't use it. This is the way to cherish your blessings and protect your family.

explanation: frugality is the way to cultivate one's morality and keep a house. Luxury and leisure lead to death, but thrift leads to long-term success. Introduction to Zuo Zongtang

Zuo Zongtang (November 1, 1812-September 5, 1885), with a high word season and a simple word, was named as a farmer in Hunan, and his signature was Jin Liang and Shi Wenxiang. He was a native of Xiangyin, Hunan Province, a minister of the Qing Dynasty and a famous general of the Xiang Army. Throughout his life, he witnessed the important Chinese historical events such as the Hunan Army's movement to pacify the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Westernization Movement, and the army's efforts to pacify the Shaanxi-Gansu reversion and recover Xinjiang.

Zuo Zongtang tried many times when he was young, and his fame ended with raising people. Instead, he paid attention to farming, read a lot of books and studied geography and the art of war. Later, he became a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty. Later, he was given an exceptional position as a scholar, and the official was a university student in Dongge, a minister of military aircraft, and a second-class marquis. He is the author of "Chu Barracks System", and his plays and documents are the Complete Works of Zuo Wen Xiang Gong. Together with Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong, they are also called "the four famous ministers of ZTE in the late Qing Dynasty". On August 19th, 1866 (the 1th day of the seventh lunar month), Zuo Zongtang set up the largest new shipyard of the Qing government in Fujian.

in the 11th year of Guangxu (1885), Zuo Zongtang died in Fuzhou at the age of 73. As a posthumous gift to Tai Fu, posthumous title's "Wenxiang" was incorporated into the memorial hall of Zhaozhong and Xianliang.