Zhuangzi said: “Between talent and lack of talent, they seem similar but are not the same, thus they are not free from burdens. As for those who ride the Dao and virtue and drift freely, they are different; without praise or blame, like a dragon or a snake, transforming with the times, not willing to be solely dedicated; rising and falling, harmonizing as the measure, floating among the ancestors of all things, things without being attached to things—how could they be burdened? These are the principles of Shennong and the Yellow Emperor. As for the feelings of all things and the transmission of human relations, they are not so. When united, they separate; when formed, they are destroyed; integrity is suppressed, respect is debated; action causes loss, wisdom causes scheming; incompetence leads to deception, how can they be necessarily obtained?

Alas! Disciples aspire to this, is it not the homeland of Dao and virtue?”

In the mortal world, talented people are exploited, the unskilled are bullied, honest people are slandered, and noble-minded individuals are discussed. These have always been the case, right?

Whether it’s the “crypto circle” or the “financial world,” all aspects of human life are ultimately reflections of human nature. When someone shows intelligence, others envy him; when someone loses money, others insult him. Those who make money become arrogant, regard others as ants, and attribute their luck and skills to their own cleverness; those who lose money are both insecure and arrogant, acting as sycophants to successful people, or simply looking down on everyone else—criticizing everything above themselves.

The so-called way of the sage is to treat industry, money, and means as tools, not caring about others’ praise or blame, admiration or jealousy. If one truly has talent and opportunity, how could they tumble in the mud for a little dirt? How could they be elated or angry because of others’ words, trapped in others’ praise or criticism?

Useless wood, the singing wild goose—I have experienced both. The venerable use me, the noble assist me, the strong insult me, the unworthy envy me, the petty harm me. In just a few years, I have gone through so much. Beautiful yet not self-admiring, wise to protect oneself, gradually learning the moral of humility.

When will the wind and clouds align, soaring straight upward, water striking three thousand miles, settled inside and out, debating honor and shame?

Before that, I still need to count a few years among the mortal realm, then I can wander freely.