The sagely minded men treat all others

As the wise guys who have nothing to lose.

Instead of asking why, you'd better try

And figure it out for yourself. Let's say,

Reading the Classics for many years,

You cannot quote from them a part,

Putting it in the right time and place.

Learning the magic spells for decades,

You can put into your practice no one;

Training the Dragon Sword martial style

From your early age, you fail in the end

To wield it against the mythic creature;

Burning the incense for a half of life,

You cannot beat vexation of your mind;

Praying year in, year out, from dawn till dark,

You forget, alas, to care of your own kin

To feel deep remorse at the end of the day.

Trying to keep to a diet for many years,

You still indulge in fat meat and raw fish;

Connecting with lots of amicable men,

You do a favour to none of them;

Worshiping of the spirits in the sacred places,

You have never paid a visit to them;

Cultivating your virtues and good manners,

You cannot be clean of angry every day.

Managing your staff for a long time,

You cannot however put a good team together.

So, if you were going to exercise and

Improve yourself another sixty years,

I guarantee you end as an utter fool

Who cannot do what should be done, for sure.

Hence it is said that there is nothing more

Difficult in all one's born days than play

A part of the complete ignorant, my dear friend.