Vision determines where we begin.
In both action and attitude, we should aim higher and look further.
At thirteen, Wang Yangming asked his teacher, “What is the most important thing in life?” The teacher replied, “To study and become a top scholar.” But young Wang disagreed: “Becoming a scholar is not enough. To become a sage through learning—that is the first priority.”
Emperor Taizong of Tang once said, “Aim for the best, and you may achieve the average. Aim for the average, and you may fall below. Aim for the lowest, and you will gain nothing.”
This ancient wisdom reminds us: without a lofty vision, we cannot elevate our inner state. Only by setting our sights high can we rise step by step and see a broader horizon.
Let us not be bound by the immediate or limited by the present. Instead, let vision guide us toward a life of greater depth and meaning.