This self-encouragement couplet comes from Zheng Xie in the Qing Dynasty.
The modest bamboo has bowed leaves
The proud plum has no upward-facing flowers (Zheng Xie)
It means that the bamboo has a humble heart and bows its head humbly to others, while the plum blossom is arrogant and does not surrender. Don't look up and flatter the horse. This couplet uses objects as metaphors for people and supports objects to express ambitions. Grasp the characteristics of plum and bamboo to show the beautiful soul of people. The first couplet "has bowed leaves" means that bamboo is not arrogant and conceited, but has an open mind and integrity. The second line of the second line "no flowers on the back" refers to Mei's character of not being vulgar and upward. The language of this series is simple and the conception is clever. The meaning is profound and the workmanship is exquisite. It can be called a masterpiece.
Bamboo has knots in the hollow, and its leaves grow downwards in pairs, like the character "one", so it is said to be "humbly" and "bowed down". The external natural state of bamboo also refers to the inner spiritual character of human beings. The two are different and have the same structure; the second couplet praises plum blossoms. Plum blossoms are not afraid of frost and bloom in the wind and cold, so they are called proud. Plum blossoms also have another characteristic. Their flowers all bloom on the sunny side of the branches, always facing upwards, and never on the shady side downwards. Flowers are not necessarily different (for example, peach blossoms have flowers that bloom downward, so they are criticized as "frivolous"). Therefore, it is said that "there are no two-faced branches". This image characteristic of Mei is heterogeneous and isomorphic with the upright personality that people praise for not bowing to evil forces and being the same on the outside. Although the couplet is about chanting bamboos and praising plum blossoms, it actually portrays others and oneself. The first couplet talks about the spirit of scholarship, and the second couplet talks about the character of life. Zheng Banqiao was academically outstanding in poetry, calligraphy and painting, and was proud and upright as a person. Didn't future generations see the spirit of bamboo and the style of plum in him?
Notes: 1. Low-headed leaves: refers to the drooping tips of bamboo leaves. 2. Upward-facing flowers: Refers to plum blossoms whose stamens are not upward-facing. Comment: This couplet praises bamboo and plum blossoms, aiming to praise character. The first couplet captures the characteristics of bamboo and praises its modest virtue; the second couplet depicts the spirit of plum and praises the righteousness of not accepting flattery. If the intellectuals in China's feudal society possess the above two moral qualities, they can be said to have achieved personality perfection. Zheng Banqiao wrote this couplet, perhaps with the intention of self-encouragement.