People who succeed often understand these three principles of heaven, and even if they encounter hardship, their lives will be smooth and prosperous.

There is a saying that goes like this: 'Clear water goes with lotus, natural goes with adornment.'

Truly profound and deep things are simple and rustic, while those full of embellishment often have little substance and become a burden in life.

Life is like this. A person truly reaches a certain level, he will no longer pursue excessive noise and commotion, but rather enjoy simplicity and naturalness and find beauty in the ordinary.

There is a saying that goes like this: 'The best state of life is just quiet and peaceful.'

'Root Vegetables Commentary' has a saying: 'When writing is done to the extreme, there is nothing extraordinary, only just right; when one's character is done to the extreme, there is no extraordinary, only just natural.'

'Root Vegetables Commentary' was compiled during the mid-period of the Wenchen Dynasty. At that time, the Ming Dynasty was turbulent and beset with difficulties, with vast talent but lacking opportunity to implement it. So he retired to the mountains and forests to summarize his wisdom for the world, leaving behind this book of practical advice.

Hong Yingming's words tell us one principle: Life cannot always be lucky in front of heaven. People who do well will also suffer setbacks in life. The success or failure of life depends on how we face adversity. We must confront challenges and be self-reliant.

Confucius once said: 'Weak people decline in adversity, while strong people rise to prominence. People who do well know these three principles of heaven, if they understand one, they will soon be smooth and prosperous.'

Translation: If fate gives us little blessing, we should cultivate our virtue and bravely face life, so that we can avoid misfortune and make our life smooth and prosperous.

Master Nan Hai Jin interpreted what a blessing really is: 'In fact, safety and tranquility are rare blessings.'

When your talent doesn't yet support your ambition, you should calm down and study; when your ability doesn't yet control your goals, you should calm down and practice.

The more difficult the situation, the more we shouldn't be discouraged or create trouble, which will make us more passive. Don't be hasty, enhance our meditation and accumulation, and life will naturally be smooth and prosperous.

Translation: If fate makes us toil and suffer, we should relax our minds and accept the test, so as to make up for regrets and gain something.

Li Ka-shing's life was not always smooth sailing. In his business, he also experienced heavy blows. With his astonishing will, he withstood the pressure and survived the hardest days.

Li Ka-shing summarized his life's successes and failures, once taught his son Li Ze Kai: 'Everyone will encounter difficulties that seem insurmountable. Some are disasters, some are lessons. The difference lies in whether we can overcome disasters or whether we can learn from lessons.'

Wang Yangming Master advised people: 'One must grind on things to stand firm; one must be still and steady when one is still, and steady when one is moving. Difficulties and hardships are the best test of our character. People who do well often understand this principle of heaven, endure hardships and then life will be smooth and prosperous.'

Translation: If fate makes us experience hardship, we should cultivate our mind and will, so as to make our path of life smooth and unobstructed.

The biggest hardship and setback in life are not insurmountable difficulties, but our own weak will. Just like the story of the dripping water wears away the stone, not through powerful force, but through relentless persistence.

Jin Ying deeply understood the wisdom of dealing with people in the world, and wrote 'Bile Wall Mirror' for the world to learn his successful experience. He said: 'Great talent does not compete for short-term fame and fortune; steadfastness is not afraid of temporary gains and losses; there is a mission, capable of distant responsibilities.'

People who do well are not without difficulties, but they don't fear difficulties. If you don't want to do something, you can find a thousand reasons; if you want to do something, you can find a thousand ways. There is no road that cannot be traveled in the world, only people who cannot think.

Heaven is against me, I receive it with fortune, I smooth my way with virtue and understanding. Heaven labors against me, I am peaceful and easy, I make up for my losses and gain something. Heaven brings hardship to me, I accept it with opportunity, I make my way through it with understanding. People who do well often understand this principle of heaven, endure hardships and then life will be smooth and prosperous!

In general, this book reflects the idea of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism—that is, it combines one's thoughts and beliefs. It is a book that teaches us how to live. It is of great value to us today.

No one says: 'Always remain calm when facing major events.' This is talking about when we face big things, we must remain calm, so that we won't turn good things into bad things, and bad things into bigger things.

Looking back at the past and present, the people who achieve great things know how to start from cultivating their minds. For example, Guo Ziyi, Sima Yi, Wang Yangming, even this 'Root Vegetables Commentary' was once listed by many great people as a pillow book.

Whether from a literary perspective or from a perspective on how to deal with people, I suggest everyone read this book of wisdom. It will help children improve their knowledge during the high school entrance examination, and it will also influence people's deep-rooted cultural foundation.

This set of books is a combination. 'Root Vegetables Commentary' combined with 'Night Lamp Conversations', 'Remember the Window'. These are three great books on how to live a good life. It's like absorbing multiple kinds of wisdom.

Now we are in a period of self-isolation at home. Don't be idle, don't just scroll through some nonsense, rather pick up a book of wisdom and experience the joy of talking with ancient sages.

If you're interested or want to improve yourself, click on the product card below to get it.