A Life of Books and Dance

     Books are carriers of wisdom; inheritors of culture; spiritual nourishment for humanity; the condensation and legacy of the wisdom of our predecessors.

    A cup of fragrant tea can soothe the soul. A good book can infinitely enhance wisdom. A book that provokes deep thought, broadens horizons, and enlightens the mind is undoubtedly a wise teacher and helpful friend in life. Whether we are riding high or struggling and feeling lost, opening a book at any time will bring us invaluable wisdom and enlightenment through its enduring meaning. The profound truths and principles of life contained in books will shake our souls, making us understand them deeply or providing a sudden awakening. Every pause for deep reflection will bring us a spiritual cleansing, allowing us to experience new landscapes of life. Profound knowledge
    can make us speak elegantly and act gracefully, speaking fluently and eloquently in social interactions, no longer engaging in long, tedious, and unpleasant monotony. It will showcase personal charm, leading to a wide network of connections, success in all endeavors, and greater efficiency with less effort. In today's rapidly evolving technological and materialistic market economy, we should draw nourishment from books to cultivate our character, broaden our knowledge, and prepare for unforeseen circumstances. We no longer live in the era of endless battles and revelry. There's no need for arduous study or studying by the light of fireflies or snow. Therefore, we should cherish this invaluable environment, strive for excellence, and persevere. In this age of rapid knowledge explosion, life is short. Even if we are constantly engrossed in reading, how much can we truly learn? Therefore, we should choose wisely and selectively. "Read all the books that convey wisdom, read many books that enlighten, read few miscellaneous books, and avoid books that are heretical or wicked." The transition from prosperity to adversity is a short step, but the journey from adversity to prosperity is long and arduous. As the saying goes, "One wrong step can lead to eternal regret." Heretical books can poison the mind, and once the disease is deeply ingrained, even the most miraculous
    remedies are powerless to reverse it. Choose wisely, and consult both classics and history. Emperor Taizong of Tang said: "Use bronze as a mirror to correct your appearance; use people as a mirror to understand your gains and losses; use history as a mirror to know the rise and fall of dynasties." Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune is human nature. Classics and history can help us understand the essence of things, grasp the context of events, and discern trends. If things are gradually becoming advantageous, guide them to their full potential; if things are gradually becoming harmful, nip them in the bud and prevent them from escalating. "When faced with two benefits, choose the greater; when faced with two harms, choose the lesser." During the Spring and Autumn Period, Zhi Bo Yao plotted to attack Qiu You, but the roads were impassable. He then tempted Qiu You's ruler with a large bronze bell, an ancient ceremonial object symbolizing supreme status and power. The ruler of Qiu You ignored his advisors' warnings, dug his own grave to clear a road to meet him, and was soon destroyed by Zhi Bo Yao. One of the Thirty-Six Stratagems is "Borrowing a Path to Attack Guo," also from the Spring and Autumn Period. The State of Jin wanted to annex two neighboring small states, Yu and Guo. Yu was located between Jin and Guo, and its ruler was greedy. Therefore, his minister Xun Xi, the Duke Xian of Jin, offered a plan to sow discord. Xun Xi offered the Duke Xian's beloved fine horses from Qu and the jade disc from Chuiji to the ruler of Yu. Initially, the Duke Xian was reluctant, but Xun Xi explained the potential gains and losses. The Duke Xian followed the plan. The ruler of Yu, unaware of the interdependent relationship between Guo and Yu, readily fell for the trap. The State of Jin, having borrowed a passage through the State of Yu, distributed substantial spoils to Yu on its return journey after conquering the State of Guo. Later, a Jin general feigned illness, claiming he could not lead his troops home immediately, and temporarily stationed his forces near the capital of Yu. The ruler of Yu suspected nothing. Then, Duke Xian of Jin used a diversionary tactic, inviting the ruler of Yu to go hunting. With the Jin army's inside help, they easily conquered Yu. Such historical examples abound, all stemming from the defeat of those blinded by greed, short-sighted, focusing solely on immediate gains,
    and excessively coveting, leading to utter defeat. As Sun Tzu's *Art of War* states: "The wise man's judgment is always a mixture of benefit and harm. With benefit, the matter becomes trustworthy; with harm, the problem can be resolved."
    Therefore, we must consider both benefits and harms in all matters. Always consider the harm first. If it cannot be tolerated, then change course and seek alternative methods. Because what has a chance will eventually come; we must be cautious and prudent, and not succumb to wishful thinking.
    Zhang Zhidong once said: "Reading should focus on ancient books. Besides historical records, books from before the Tang Dynasty should be read extensively, as they contain less empty rhetoric. Generally, books from the Qin Dynasty onwards are worth a thousand pieces of gold per word; from the Han to the Sui Dynasties, they are often treasured; even if they are flawed, they are preserved. From the Tang to the Northern Song Dynasty, half should be discarded and half retained. From the Southern Song to the Ming Dynasty, the good should be chosen and followed.
    " The ancients possessed truly profound skill in refining language, some even reaching a point where adding or removing words would be excessive or insufficient. Confucius, when reading the *I Ching*, wore out the leather bindings of his bamboo slips three times, and revised the *Book of Poetry* and other classics, yet he dared not alter a single word of the *I Ching*, only praising it. It's like the difference between "knowing yourself and your enemy" and "knowing yourself and your enemy"—knowing the enemy should come first, because there is a time lag in between; a slight difference can lead to a great error. For example, "repeated defeats" and "repeated defeats but continued fighting" have vastly different meanings.
    Diligence, even if not clumsy, is still better than natural talent. Zeng Guofan, a prominent official in the late Qing Dynasty, was known for his slow learning in his youth. One night, while studying, a thief lurked under the eaves, intending to steal from him once he fell asleep. However, Zeng Guofan read a text over and over again, unable to memorize it. The thief, impatient, entered and said, "You're so stupid, do you even deserve to study?" He then recited the text fluently and left. From then on, Zeng Guofan studied diligently, eventually becoming a high-ranking official in the Qing Dynasty, his name etched in history. The thief, far more talented than Zeng Guofan, remained unknown. This illustrates the saying, "Diligence leads to mastery, while idleness leads to ruin."
    We must keep pace with the times and not become trapped in a mountain of books, working in isolation.
    We must refine our understanding, delve into subtle details, and be aware of life's pitfalls. "One day of reading yields one day of progress; ten hours without reading leaves the mind empty." The key to reading is unwavering determination and perseverance; one cannot be superficial or aimless. Come on, my friend! Let us sail together on the sea of ​​books, soar through the world of books, forge an unyielding spirit, hone a pair of wise eyes, cultivate a discerning heart, and wander freely in this vast and boundless world.