He who understands Heaven's will and,

Therefore, his own fate, keeps all affairs

As they were sheathed in his personality,

Showing the greatness of his intents;

And through the outflow of his activity

All things move and toss into his lap.

Being such, he lets the gold lie hid high

In the hills and the pearls in the sea deep;

He considers not property or money

To be any gain but means towards the end;

He keeps aloof from riches and honours;

He rejoices not in long and untroubled life,

And grieves not for early death, either.

He does not account prosperity a glory,

Nor is ashamed of indigence and poverty;

He would not grasp at the gain of the world

To be held as his own private discretion;

He would not desire to rule over the land

As a possession of his own private end.

His distinction is in understanding that

All things belong to the one treasury,

And that death and life should be viewed

In the same way of transiency. Therefore,

He used to warn us all, "Don't waste time

But try your best to reach the inner state

Of divine constancy before it's too late."