1. A leaf of duckweed returns to the sea, and we will never meet again in life. ——Wu Chengen, Ming Dynasty, "Journey to the West·Chapter 40"

The vernacular meaning is that a small piece of duckweed flows into the sea after thousands of twists and turns, and there will naturally be encountered many various stories in the process; life is also Similarly, in life, there are many opportunities to "encounter" people and things. No matter how big the world is, you will still meet people who are destined to meet you.

2. High mountains have their own passenger routes, and deep waters have their own ferrymen. ——Wu Chengen, Ming Dynasty, "Journey to the West·Chapter 74"

The vernacular meaning is that no matter how high the mountain is, there are people who climb it and walk, and no matter how deep the water is, there are people who cross the river by boat. It is a metaphor that as long as people are determined, work hard, and struggle, they will be able to overcome difficulties.

3. When a person has a thought, everyone in the world knows that if there is no reward for good and evil, there will be selfishness in the universe. ——Wu Cheng'en in the Ming Dynasty, "Journey to the West·Chapter 87"

The vernacular meaning is that whether a thought occurs in a person's mind, whether it is good or evil, the ghosts and gods of heaven and earth know it. Therefore, we warn ourselves not to have evil thoughts casually. There is retribution for good and evil. If there is no retribution, then the universe of heaven and earth will be selfish. But we know that heaven and earth are selfless, so retribution for good and evil must be real.

4. I would rather love a piece of soil in my hometown than a thousand taels of gold in a foreign country. ——Wu Chengen, Ming Dynasty, "Journey to the West·Chapter 12"

The vernacular meaning is that you would rather miss a handful of loess from your hometown than be greedy for thousands of taels of gold from another country. No matter how rich and beautiful another country is, it is not as close and beautiful as your own hometown.

5. The Zen heart shines brightly on thousands of rivers and moons, and the true nature reaches thousands of miles into the sky. ——Wu Chengen, Ming Dynasty, "Journey to the West·Chapter 8"

The vernacular meaning is that blessing is like the moon shining brightly for thousands of years and will never stop; life span is as vast as that light.