文／林語堂（1895～1976）

在不違背天地之道的情況下，成為一個自由而快樂的人。這就好比一台戲，優秀的演員明知其假，但卻能夠比在現實生活中更真實、更自然、更快樂地表達自己。人生亦復如此。

我們最重要的不是去計較真與偽，得與失，名與利，貴與賤，富與貧，而是如何好好地快樂度日，並從中發現生活的詩意。從某種程度上來說，人生不完美是常態，而圓滿則是非常態，就如同「月圓為少月缺為多」的道理一樣。如此理解人生，那麼我們就會很快變得通達起來，也逍遙自適多了，苦惱和晦暗也會隨風而去了。

──選自《人生不過如此》

Understanding Life

Lin Yutang (1895 - 1976)

English translation: Venerable Miao Guang

To be a free and happy person without going against the laws of nature is just like being in a play. A good actor, though perfectly aware that it is all fake, is still able to express himself in a way that is even more realistic, more natural, and more joyful than in real life. The same goes for life: the most important thing is to not to be calculative regarding what is true or false, gain or loss, fame or benefit, nobility or worthlessness, wealth or poverty. Rather, it is about how to live each day happily, and discover the poetic part of life. On some level, imperfection is a normal part of life, while perfection the abnormal. It is just as the saying goes, “seldomly full, the moon crescents most of the time.”

If we understand life this way, we will soon be more understanding, more free and unfettered. at the same time, worries and gloomy days will also fly away with the wind.

── from Rensheng Buguo Ruci

(This is Life, Nothing More)