The *Zhu Family Instructions* teaches: “Be frugal in your own life, and do not linger at feasts.”
A person may earn much, yet without thrift, they become like a leaky vessel—never full. Simplicity is not loss but gain. Eat moderately; skip or reduce dinner. A heavy meal at night burdens the stomach.
Constant banquets may seem luxurious, but they harm the body. An official once confessed, “I long for a bowl of millet porridge—I never have time to eat at home.”
Frugality nurtures virtue, and stillness cultivates the soul. When we need little, we are free from greed. We do not misuse public funds, take advantage of others, or waste food. Savings can then help those in need.
True happiness lies not in abundance, but in contentment. Simplicity is wisdom.