A classical Chinese line for “Basic needs come first”

When granaries are full, people understand rites; when food and clothing are sufficient, they understand honor and shame.

Plain meaningMaterial security supports social dignity and order.

Only when there is a Bo Le can there be a thousand-li horse.

Plain meaningTalent needs someone able to recognize and support it.

Things have roots and branches; affairs have endings and beginnings. To know what comes first and what follows is to approach the Way.

Plain meaningKnow what matters first, and do not confuse the root with the branches.

A time will come to ride the long wind and break the waves; I will set my cloudlike sail straight across the vast sea.

Plain meaningYour chance will come. Keep going toward the larger horizon.

Peach and plum trees do not speak, yet paths form beneath them.

Plain meaningReal character and ability attract respect without self-promotion.

Work becomes refined through diligence and falls into neglect through play; conduct succeeds through thought and is ruined by careless following.

Plain meaningDiligence needs reflection; effort without thought is not enough.