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Things that happened in the ancient times are now forgotten. Things that happened ten thousand years ago are more legend than fact. Events that occurred five thousand years ago are more of a dream than reality. We may still retain a bit of memory of what happened a thousand years ago, but most of the events are forgotten. In fact, it is a great accomplishment to remember things that happened a hundred years ago. Even eye witnesses have a hard time recalling what they say fifty years ago.
Much has gone on between the ancient times and the present. Sages and tyrants have come and gone. Intelligent people, foolish people, kind people, cruel people, good people, bad people have all made brief appearances in history and then disappeared. We don't know who they were or what they did, let alone what position and rank they occupied in society. Life is short. Why injure yourself to achieve things like name and reputation when you know that in fifty years, you'll be not different from anyone else? Why sacrifice your happiness and peace of mind to go after something ephemeral and transitory?
Of all creatures, humans are said to be the most intelligent. However, we are plagues by happiness, anger, sadness and fear. We do not have sharp teeth or claws to hunt down prey. We do not have fur or feathers to keep ourselves warm. We cannot run fast to escape predators, and our skin is not tough enough to protect us if we are attacked. We must rely on other sources to provide us with shelter, clothing, food, and weapons. Out intelligence does not make us privileged. Each species is endowed with a unique ability. We have intelligence, birds have feathers, and fish have gills. To use intelligence to fulfill our basic needs and comfort is appropriate; to use it to harm others is to go against the natural order of things. And intelligence is transitory. Like skin, bones and flesh, it disappears when we die.
Our time on earth is short. We do not own our lives. We come into existence when yin and yang energies interact, and we disappear when they separate. Thus, should we find ourselves alive in this world, we should let this life run its course. Do not be attached to it, but do not throw it away. Make the best use of your time now. If this body of flesh and blood is impermanent, how much more are nontangible things like name, title, and reputation?
~ Lieh Tzu
4:35 AM
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