Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
Everyone eats and drinks; yet only few appreciate the taste of food.
Interpretation
Many people consume food routinely, but only a few truly savor and understand its enjoyment.
This quote by Confucius highlights the difference between mere existence and genuine appreciation of life's pleasures. While everyone engages in the basic acts of eating and drinking for survival, only a select few take the time to recognize and enjoy the full experience of taste, flavor, and culinary delight. It encourages us to be mindful and appreciative of the simple joys in life rather than taking them for granted.
In practice
During a cooking class to emphasize the importance of savoring flavors.
Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
Humility is not denying your strengths, humility is being honest about your weaknesses.
I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep I wrote in the dark.
Upon the progress of knowledge the whole progress of the human race is immediately dependent: he who retards that, hinders this also.
It hurts not the tongue to give fair words.
Softness triumphs over hardness, feebleness over strength. What is more malleable is always superior over that which is immoveable. This is the principle of controlling things by going along with them, of mastery through adaptation.
Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past. Listen: those who hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment. Your past is past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.
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