三十之后 - mauriceling/mauriceling.github.io GitHub Wiki
放眼望去
二十起拼搏
孔丘论语相送
十年迈进路途
三十立
立身而定方向
立业而有所长
立内而建根本
立外而善交友
四十不惑
事业攀升而不惑
健康病痛而不惑
生活常规而不惑
社交人脉而不惑
五十知天命
从何而来为知前
有责未尽为知后
现果必有前因
明日树阴今日栽
不冤天不尤人
一切由自生
六十耳顺
看淡而耳顺
从外而视内
耕种之年已尽
恰逢收成之季
成败已实
自当随言
七十随心不越矩
随心谋嗜
随心乐好
随心踏步
随心修灵
不越情礼法
由心而安
由心而淡
— 19/11/19
Commentary: This poem is my interpretation of a passage in Analects where Confucius said “吾十有五而志于学，三十而立，四十而不惑，五十而知天命，六十而耳顺，七十而从心所欲，不逾矩。” This can be translated as “At fifteen, I was set on learning; at thirty, I stood firm in my views; at forty, I was unperturbed by external; at fifty, I understood the mandate of heaven; at sixty, my ears can listen to all words; at seventy, I could follow my heart’s desire without transgressing the norm.”
Putting into concrete practice; at thirty years old, I should (1) establish my directions in life, (2) decide on a set of skills to excel in, (3) establish foundations in all aspects of life especially finances, and (4) acquiring good friendships.
At forty years old, I should know (1) why my endeavours succeed or fail, (2) why am I in health and in aches, (3) the core routines of my daily life, and (4) my social views and reach.
At fifty years old, I should evaluate (1) my past route to know my future, and (2) what responsibilities I had completed and what had not. I should know the laws of cause and effect – the outcomes of my current state are substantially, if not all, of my doings.
At sixty years old, I should realize that the end of my career and my route is foreseeable. I should realize that this is the time to let go of major responsibilities and gradually enjoy the fruits of my labour. If the fruits are sweet, I should enjoy. If the fruits are sour, I should except. I should realize that I will be subjected to judgement by others and I should accept my verdict as I had done my best. This is the time to write my major autobiography.
At seventy years old, if I am still around; I should be able to do as I wish without too much restrictions within my own means and without violating legal and moral rules, or what is expected of me at this age. More or less wealth almost does not matter anymore. Larger or smaller house no longer matters. Life and death no longer make a difference and everyday should be considered as a bonus. Be calm and be at ease with myself.