1. "Buju" Pre-Qin Dynasty: Qu Yuan
Is it better to kill weeds and cultivate the grass, or to make a name for yourself? Would you rather endanger yourself by speaking out frankly, or live by stealing from the worldly wealth? Would you rather be detached and exalted to keep the truth? Would you rather be like a scholar to serve a woman? Is it better to be honest and upright in order to be self-pure, or to make the protruding ladder funny, as fat as Wei, to use a couplet?
Vernacular interpretation: Would you rather rely on your strength to weed and cultivate, or lobby among dignitaries to achieve fame? Would you rather speak out and endanger yourself, or would you rather live by following customs and the wealthy? Would you rather be aloof to preserve your innocence, or would you rather flatter a woman and be fawning and babbling (incoherent flattery) to please a woman? Would you rather be honest and upright to keep yourself clean, or would you rather be smooth and perfect, like fat or cooked skin, to flatter you?
2. "Calling the Soul" Pre-Qin Dynasty: Qu Yuan
I am honest and honest since I was young, and I am committed to righteousness without any hesitation.
This great virtue is due to the vulgarity and is dirty.
No one in the world can test this great virtue, and I will suffer from long-term separation and disaster.
Vernacular interpretation: When I was young, I was endowed with the virtue of incorruptibility and devoted myself to morality without any slight reduction. With such great virtues, he was brought into disrepute by the world. The king does not examine this magnificent virtue and suffers for a long time with endless sorrow.
3. "Zhuangzi: Deliberately" Spring and Autumn Period: Zhuangzi
Everyone attaches great importance to profit. Honest people have the same reputation.
The sage is determined. Saints are precious.
Vernacular interpretation: Ordinary people value wealth and gain, honest people value reputation, virtuous people value ambition, and wise people value spirit.
4. "Xun Jian Shi Kang" Sima Guang of the Song Dynasty
Everyone is proud of extravagance, but in my heart, simplicity is the beauty.
Vernacular interpretation: Everyone in the world regards extravagance as glory, but my heart regards simplicity as virtue.
5. "The Complete Works of Zeng Wenzhenggong" by Zeng Guofan in the Qing Dynasty
The words "diligence and honesty" may seem simple, but in fact, they are here to win, believers are here, and they serve the people. , without these two words, even if the boss expresses hope occasionally, it will not last long.
Vernacular interpretation: The words "diligence" and "honesty" seem simple, but in fact, there are many goods in between. Loyal friends are here, and convinced subjects are here. If you discard these two words, even your boss will Even if I commend you occasionally, it won't last long.