文╱清．曾國藩（1811～1872）
古今億萬年，無有窮期。人生其間，數十寒暑，僅須臾耳。
大地數萬里，不可紀極。人於其中，寢處游息，晝僅一室耳，夜僅一榻耳。
古人書籍，近人著述，浩如煙海。人生目光之所能及者，不過九牛之一毛耳。
事變萬端，美名百途，人生才力之所能辦者，不過太倉之一粒耳。
知天之長，而吾所歷者短，則遇憂患橫逆之來，當少忍以待其定。
知地之大，而吾所居者小，則遇榮利爭奪之境，當退讓以守其雌。
知書籍之多，而吾所見者寡，則不敢以一得自喜，而當思擇善而約守之。
知事變之多，而吾所辦者少，則不敢以功名自矜，而當思舉賢而共圖之。
夫如是，則自私自滿之見，可漸漸蠲除矣。
──選自《曾文公文集》
The Diary of Zeng Wengong (Excerpt)
Zeng Guofan (1811 - 1872, Qing Dynasty)
English translation: Venerable Miao Guang
For eons since the past until now, time has gone on without end. During the several decades of the human life, time passes in just an instant.
The lands on Earth extend across thousands of miles, whose boundaries are undetectable. Living on it are humans who sleep, live, roam about, and rest. During the day, one person can only occupy one room at a time, and at night, only one bed at a time.
Books from the past and writings by contemporary people are as numerous as water in the ocean. That which we can read over in our entire lives only amount to one hair out of nine ox hides.
Things can occur in countless ways; put nicely: people have endless options. However, what our ability and power allows us to deal with is only a grain of sand in an entire universe.
Upon knowing Heaven’s eternity, and how short our life experiences can be, when faced with hardship and adversity, it is best to be patient and wait it out.
Upon knowing the Earth’s vastness, and how small the space we occupy, when faced with the contest for fame and profit, it is best to defend our stance by stepping aside.
Upon knowing the innumerability of books, and how scant our knowledge is, we dare not to rejoice over a minor attainment. Instead, we choose what is good and abide by it.
Upon knowing the countless matters in this world, and how little we are able to achieve, we dare not dare to commend ourselves for our inevitably insignificant accomplishments. Instead, we recommend those who are capable and work together in achieving success.
By such, any selfishness or arrogance can be gradually eliminated.
── from Zeng Wengong Wenji
(Anthology of Zeng Wengong's Works)