A classical Chinese line for “It is time to move on”

Looking back at the bleak place I came through, I return: there is neither storm nor clear sky.

Plain meaningAfter weathering the storm, I no longer let hardship or ease define me.

Rather than moistening each other with foam, it is better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.

Plain meaningSometimes the kinder choice is to let each other go and live freely.

Cut water with a blade and it flows all the more; raise a cup to drown sorrow and sorrow grows deeper.

Plain meaningTrying to force grief away can make it return even more strongly.

Return, return! The fields are going wild—why not go home?

Plain meaningLeave the life that drains you and return to what truly matters.

Do not rejoice because of external things, nor grieve because of personal loss.

Plain meaningKeep your balance through success and setback.

Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, rivers and seas cannot form.

Plain meaningGreat progress is built from small, repeated actions.