To "make the highest aspirations" means to have high aspirations and to have compassion for others; to "make the middle destiny" means to abide by the golden mean and pursue perfection rather than perfection; to "enjoy the lower blessings" means to Enjoy the blessings of life and appreciate the joy of life.
"Choose a high place to stand" to have a far-sighted vision; "Sit in a flat place" to avoid long-term disasters; "Walk to a wide place" to travel unimpeded.
This couplet was inscribed by Zuo Zongtang in Wuxi Meiyuan, famous for Li Ka-shing.
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Author
Zuo Zongtang (November 10, 1812-1885 September 5, 2011), an important minister of the late Qing Dynasty, a strategist, politician, a famous general of the Hunan Army, and one of the representatives of the Westernization Movement. Together with Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong, he is known as one of the "Four Famous Officials of the Late Qing Dynasty and ZTE".
Although he failed repeatedly in the general examination, he paid attention to farming, read many books, and studied geography and military tactics. Later, he became a member of the Kuomintang and participated in the pacification of the Taiping Rebellion, founded the Westernization Movement, suppressed the Nian Army, quelled the Tongzhi Rebellion in Shaanxi and Gansu, recovered Xinjiang, and promoted the establishment of Xinjiang as a province. He successively served as the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and the governor of Liangjiang. He reached the rank of bachelor of Dongge University, minister of military aircraft, and was granted the title of second-class Marquis of Kejing.
Source
This couplet was written separately and was inscribed by Zuo Zongtang in Meiyuan, Wuxi, Jiangsu. It is a true portrayal of Zuo Zongtang's way of life, and it is also a classic way of life that has been praised by future generations.
Interpretation
People should have lofty aspirations and meet ordinary fate, and should not pursue extravagant enjoyment and blessings; they should be far-sighted, prudent, and at the same time broaden their horizons and not take things for granted. The road is narrow.