From the Heart of a Loafer

It is not easy to distinguish between truth and falsehood,
many humans are deceitful at heart.
How many of them would share prosperity with you,
to equally share even the water drops from the rim of a roof?

An ignorant frog inside a well,
looking in vain for prestige and fame,
self-conceited and short-sighted,
I never expected my elegant house would one day become a dilapidated wreck.

We will eventually gain whatever as fate would have it,
We better not strive too hard for something not destined for us.

We will meet thunders and storms,
but we do not have to be scared.
Happiest are those who have a fair mind and a clear conscience
and who perform good deeds whenever possible.

We will eventually gain whatever as fate would have it,
We better not strive too hard for something not destined for us.

Human beings are just like the sand in the sea,
but we do not have to be scared.
You can see the evening glow all over the sky,
it will soon disappear like mist; so do fame and fortune.

Sam Hui - From the Heart of a Loafer.