In a world of endless desires, true poverty lies not in lack of wealth, but in an insatiable heart. Those who are poor yet uphold righteousness are richer than those who hoard gold without grace.
Those who boast of their own abilities often have little to offer. Slanderers and those who enjoy flattery alike are trapped in falsehood. When three people claim a tiger is in the market, the lie becomes truth—words can wound like swords.
Those obsessed with fame delight in extravagance but flee from simplicity. The greedy revel in talk of riches and recoil at the mention of hardship. Such lives are ruled by external things, losing the inner self.
Fish swim freely in rivers, forgetting the water itself. People who grasp the Way live simply, at peace with one another. A focused mind holds jade without dropping it; a careless step may stumble on the smoothest road.
Wisdom is not found in seeking more, but in knowing when enough is enough. Guard your heart, honor integrity, and live with quiet clarity.