1. This is a couplet written by Zuo Zongtang in the Qing Dynasty in the Plum Garden in Wuxi, Jiangsu.
The first couplet: Make the best vows, make the middle fate, and enjoy the lower blessings
The second couplet: Choose a high place to stand, sit on a flat place, and walk toward a wide place?
It means: People should be ambitious, only seek moderate fate, and live an ordinary life. You should be far-sighted when looking at problems, be low-key in life, and leave room for things to happen.
2. Principle
Only with great ambition can we have the motivation to move forward. The ancients said that if one has high aspirations, there will be no goals without ambitions, and nothing will be accomplished if you just muddle along. One should aim high and work tirelessly, but one should not expect too much in return and be prepared for a mediocre life.
Be far-sighted when looking at problems, but be low-key and humble as a person. Once you achieve something, you should be simple, leave room for things, and be magnanimous and tolerant, so that the road in life will become wider and wider. Life is not perfect, it is normal to have some shortcomings. People should be content and know how to be tolerant.
3. Philosophy of Life
These 24 words condense the philosophy of life of ancient Chinese sages who are "extremely wise and mean". The so-called "make high aspirations, make middle fate, enjoy "Inferior blessings" means to have great ambitions, seek only moderate fate, and live an ordinary life; "Stand high, sit down and act with tolerance" means to be far-sighted when looking at problems, be low-key in life, and do things in a low-key manner. There should be leeway.
Extended information
To "make higher aspirations" and "choose a higher place to establish" means to have lofty ideals and ambitions. If ambition is not established, nothing can be accomplished in the world. Moreover, often the higher the goal a person pursues, the faster his talents and wisdom develop, and the greater his contribution to society.
"Forging a moderate relationship" and "sitting on an equal footing" mean to be down-to-earth, active and steady. If you don't do meritorious deeds, you will have great merit; if you don't do it for fame, you will have no solid reputation. After the highs, there are likely to be lows.
Therefore, things often fail in a hurry, and success is slow in thinking. Everything will stand if it is hesitated, and it will be wasted if it is not hesitated. Adequate preparation is half the battle.
To "enjoy the lower blessings" and "to be more lenient" means to strictly demand yourself in life and leave room for work. To have something but not be satisfied is to lose the reason why you have it; to have desire but not know how to stop it is to lose the reason why you want it.
This is just as Zhuge Liang said: "Quietness is used to cultivate one's character, and frugality is used to cultivate virtue. Without indifference, there is no clear ambition, and without tranquility, there is no way to go far."
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia - Zuo Zongtang