Deliberate

【 Solution 】 Using the first two characters of the piece as the title, "deliberately" means to temper one's own will. This article discusses self-cultivation. Different people have different requirements for self-cultivation. Only "emptiness and tranquility" is in line with "heavenly virtue", and thus it is the highest realm of self-cultivation. The entire text is relatively short and is roughly divided into three parts. The first part, from "The Virtue of the Sage", analyzes six different attitudes towards self-cultivation. Only the sixth one is worthy of praise. "Calmness and boundless" is the "way of heaven and earth" and the "virtue of the sage". The second part, from "This is the Way to nourish the spirit", discusses the methods of self-cultivation, with the core being "non-action". The remaining part is the third section, which puts forward the proposition of "valuing essence". By "valuing essence", it means not losing "purity" and "simplicity". Such a person can be called a "true person". To deliberately practice (1), to be detached from the mundane world (2), to speak highly of resentment and slander (3), is nothing but arrogance (4). The people of this valley (5), the unworthy of the world (6), are the favorites of those who go to the deep (7). To speak of benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, trustworthiness, modesty, frugality, and forbearance is all about self-cultivation. (8) This ordinary person (9), the one who teaches, is the one who roams and studies. Great achievements in speech, establishment of a great name, respect for the ruler and his subjects (10), and rectification of the upper and lower levels are all there is to govern. The officials of this court, those who respect the Lord and strengthen the country, are in pursuit of both merit and virtue. (11) When it comes to the marsh (12), it is a place of leisure and openness. Fishing is a leisurely spot, and there is nothing more to do. This is the favorite of those in the martial arts world, those who retreat from the world, and those who have leisure time. Blow the 呴 breath to expel the old and take in the new (13), the bear meridian and the bird deuteration (14), and that is enough for longevity. This path is what Peng Zushou sought out for those who seek guidance (15), those who seek to nourish their physical form (16). If one does not deliberately strive to be lofty, cultivates without benevolence and righteousness, governs without fame and fortune, remains at ease without rivers and seas, and lives a long life without the guidance of the Tao, all will be forgotten, all will be present, and one will be calm and boundless (17), and all beauties will follow. This is the way of heaven and earth and the virtue of the sages. To temper one's will and Revere self-cultivation, to transcend the mundane world and stand out from the crowd, to speak in an extraordinary way, to complain about being unappreciated for one's talent and to mock the immorality of the world, can be regarded as being aloof and outstanding. To do so is to be a hermit in the valley, a cynic, and precisely what those who keep themselves pure and would rather sacrifice their lives pursue with all their hearts. Promoting benevolence, morality, loyalty, faithfulness, respect, frugality, modesty and forbearance can be regarded as merely emphasizing self-cultivation. This is what those who aim to pacify and govern the world, those who educate people, and it is precisely what those who persuade various states and then retreat to teach are all striving for. To publicize great achievements, establish a great name, use etiquette to divide the order between the ruler and his subjects, and thereby correct and maintain the respective positions of the upper and lower levels, can be regarded as devoting oneself to governing the world. This is what those in the imperial court, those who respect the monarch and strengthen the country, are precisely what those who are devoted to establishing great achievements and expanding the territory pursue with all their heart. Heading towards the mountains, forests, lakes and marshes, living in leisure and broad-mindedness, fishing with hooks to pass the time, it can be said to be a state of non-action and freedom. To do so is what those who wander the world at leisure, those who escape from worldly affairs, and it is precisely what those who have nothing to do in their spare time pursue with all their heart. Breathing with a sigh, expelling the stale air in the chest and absorbing fresh air, like a black bear climbing and doing pull-ups, like a bird spreading its wings and flying, it can be said to be good at prolonging life. This is what those who can invigorate the meridians and blood and qi, those who are good at health preservation, and those like Peng Zu who have prolonged their lives are all striving for. If one does not need to temper one's will, one will naturally be noble; if one does not need to advocate benevolence and righteousness, one will naturally cultivate oneself; if one does not need to pursue fame and fortune, the world will naturally be governed; if one does not need to retreat to the world, one's mind will naturally be at ease; if one does not need to activate the meridians and qi and blood, one will naturally live a long life. There is nothing that is not forgotten from the outside, and there is nothing that is not based on oneself. Ning is calm and composed, and his mind never lingers on one side. All the beautiful things in the world gather around him. This is the eternal way like the universe, and this is the supreme virtue of the sage's non-action. Therefore, it is said that tranquility 惔 stillness (1), emptiness and non-action, this is the balance of heaven and earth (2), and the essence of morality (3). Therefore, it is said that when a sage rests, he becomes easy-going; when he is easy-going, he is at peace. When one is easy-going and at peace 惔, worries and evil spirits cannot invade, and thus one's virtue is complete and one's spirit is not deficient. Therefore, it is said that the birth of a sage is the action of heaven (5), and his death is the transformation of things (6). When still, be in harmony with Yin (7); when in motion, be in harmony with Yang. Do not seek fortune first, do not anticipate misfortune. Respond only after sensing, act only after seeking, and rise only when there is no choice. To know and understand (8), follow the principles of heaven. Therefore, there are no natural disasters, no burdens from objects, no accusations from people, and no blame from ghosts. His life is fleeting, and his death is full of suffering. Do not think, do not plan. (9) To be brilliant but not dazzling (10), to be trustworthy but not expecting (11). He sleeps without dreams, sleeps without worries, his spirit is pure, and his soul never ceases. Emptiness and tranquility are in line with the virtues of heaven. Therefore, it is said that joy and sorrow are the evil of virtue, joy and anger are the faults of the way, and likes and dislikes are the deficiencies of virtue. Therefore, when the heart is free from worry and joy, it is the ultimate virtue. Unity without change is the ultimate stillness. There is nothing to offend (13), which is the ultimate of emptiness. Not associating with things is the ultimate of 惔. There is nothing to reverse; it is the ultimate refinement. Therefore, it is said that if the form is overworked without rest, it will deteriorate; if the essence is used without rest, it will become overworked (14), and overwork will lead to exhaustion. The nature of water, when not mixed, is clear; when not disturbed, it is level; when it is blocked and does not flow (15), it cannot be clear either. This is a sign of the virtue of heaven. Therefore, it is said that purity without impurity, stillness without change, 惔 without action, movement with the natural order, this is the way to nourish the spirit. Therefore, tranquility, stillness, emptiness and non-action are the benchmarks for the balance of heaven and earth, and they are also the highest realm of moral cultivation. Therefore, sages always remain in this realm, and when they stay in this realm, it is smooth and without difficulties. When one is at peace and calm, worries cannot enter the heart and evil spirits cannot invade the body. Therefore, their virtue is complete and their inner world is not harmed. Therefore, it can be said that sages are born into the world and operate in accordance with nature; when they die and leave this world, they change and go away like all other things. When calm, it is as serene as the Yin energy; when in motion, it fluctuates along with the Yang energy. Not to be the forerunner of happiness, nor the initiator of misfortune, to feel externally and then respond internally, to be pressured and then act, and to rise up when there is no choice. Cast aside ingenuity and accidents, and follow the natural norms. Therefore, there are no natural disasters, no external disturbances, no criticism from others, and no censure from ghosts and gods. They are born into this world as if floating on water, and their death is like a rest after fatigue. They neither think nor plan. Bright but not dazzling, trustworthy yet not demanding. They sleep without dreaming, they wake without worry, their minds are pure and refined, and their souls never tire. Only by being empty and serene can one conform to the true nature of nature. Therefore, sorrow and joy are delusions that deviate from virtue, pleasure and anger are SINS that go against the great way, and fondness and hatred are faults that forget the true nature. Therefore, having neither worry nor joy in one's heart is the highest realm of virtue. To remain single-minded without change is the highest state of silence. Not conflicting with any external things is the highest realm of emptiness and clarity. Not interacting with external things is the highest realm of serenity. Not going against anything is the highest realm of essence. So, if the body is overworked without rest, it will be exhausted. If energy is overused without rest, it will be depleted of vitality. When vitality is depleted, energy will be drained. The nature of water is that if it is not mixed, it will be clear; if it is not stirred, it will be calm; and if it is blocked and does not flow, it will not be pure. This is a phenomenon of the essence of nature. Therefore, purity and essence without confusion, stillness and persistence without change, tranquility and non-action, and movement in accordance with nature - this is the principle of nourishing the spirit. Those who have the sword of Gan Yue (1) keep it in their bags and hide it (2), and dare not use it (3). It is the most precious treasure. The spirit flows in all directions (4), reaches everything (5), ascends to the heavens (6), and bends down to the earth (7), nurturing all things and unable to form images. This is called the same emperor (8). The way of veganism can only be maintained by God. Hold fast and never lose, and be one with God. One's mastery is in harmony with family harmony (9). There is a saying that goes: "The common people value profit, the honest people value fame, the virtuous people value ambition, and the sages value excellence." Therefore, the so-called "pure" means that it has nothing to do with impurities. Purity means that it does not lose its spirit. A person who is pure and vegetarian is called a true person. Nowadays, there are swords produced in the Wu and Yue regions, which are kept in secret boxes and not used lightly, for they are the most precious. The spirit can reach all directions, and there is no place that cannot be reached. It approaches the sky above and spreads across the earth below, nurturing all living things, yet it is impossible to trace its whereabouts. Its name is called the same as the Heavenly Emperor. The pure and simple way is to hold fast to the spirit, to hold fast to the spirit without losing the essence, and to merge with the spirit as one. When one is unified, the wisdom flows smoothly without hindrance, and it is in accordance with the principles of nature. There is a saying that goes: "Ordinary people value personal gain, honest people value reputation, virtuous people Revere aspirations, and sages value a simple spirit." So, "pure" means that nothing is mixed with it, and "pure" means that what nature bestows is not deficient. If one can perceive purity and vegetarianism, he can be called a "true person".