At a banquet, the first toast always goes to the wealthy and powerful. This is not a modern phenomenon—it has been the way of the world for millennia. Seeing this, one might feel indignant or disdainful. But pride in one’s own purity is also a form of attachment. If your mind is disturbed by the sight of privilege, you are still caught in comparison.
Human nature flows like water, seeking the lowest ground. Instead of criticizing others, look inward: Are you, too, subtly drawn to the glitter of status? Wealth is not evil, nor is aloofness virtuous. True wisdom lies in recognizing your own mind, undisturbed by external scenes.
The banquet ends, and fortune fades. What truly deserves respect is not the wine in the cup, but the clarity within—a stillness amid noise, a truth beneath the surface. That is the essence of a life well-lived.