中国文化集锦
A Collection of Choice Specimens from Chinese Culture

英语逾甲子情缘
Over Sixty Years’ Love of Knowledge about the English Language

人生奋斗的意义，不在于一定会让你取得多大的成就，而是让你在平凡的日子里活得比原来的那个自己更好一点。
The meaning of man's struggle lies in not necessarily achieving great accomplishments, but in making you live a little better than your former self in ordinary days.

🌹人生“九不过” The Nine Principles of a Balanced Life/The Nine Non-Excesses in Life

01）🌷衣不过暖
Dress just warm enough, not too warm.
季节温差大，衣着需适时
Adjust according to seasonal temperature changes.
过暖易感冒，过冷易受寒
Extreme heat invites colds, while extreme cold brings chills.
夏不穿太多，冬不穿太短
Dress lightly in summer, warmly in winter.
一年有四时，快乐每一天
With four seasons in a year, may every day be happy.

02）🌷食不过饱
Don't eat until you are full.
三餐吃太饱，身体受不了
Overeating at every meal harms the body.
每餐七八分，健康才刚好
Eating to about 80% fullness is healthier.
荤素要搭配，粗细宜兼备
A balanced diet should include a mix of meat and vegetables, as well as a combination of course and fine grains.
不沾酒和烟，幸福似神仙
Stay away from alcohol and tobacco, and live a blissful life.

03）🌷住不过宽
The home is cozy, but not spacious.
房子再宽敞，睡觉仅六尺
The house is no wider than six feet at its broadest.
屋大空荡荡，无人说说话
The house feels empty, and I have no one to talk to.
小屋种种花，小院喝喝茶
A cozy cottage, tending flowers in the garden, and sipping tea.
最爱小房间，温馨又香甜
Love the sweet coziness of the little room.

04）🌷行不过快
Don't proceed too quickly
身体若允许，尽量多步行
Walk as much as your body allows.
走路莫着急，脚步不用快
Walk unhurriedly, with slow and steady steps.
看看花和草，瞧瞧云和月
Enjoy the flowers and grass, and gaze upon the moon and sun.
余生很美好，舒服又逍遥
The remaining years are lovely, at ease, and full of joy.

05）🌷劳不过累
Work should not lead to excessive fatigue
人已不年轻，身体要顾好
You are not a spring chicken; you need to look after yourself.
钱多实无用，健康最重要
Health is priceless; money means nothing without it.
日子别太忙，时常晒太阳
Don't overwork yourself, and catch some rays often.
累了歇歇脚，乐享好时光
Take a load off and enjoy the moment.

06）🌷逸不过懒
Idleness is not the same as laziness
闲逸要适度，不可变懒散
Moderation in leisure prevents idleness.
整日无所事，生活没色彩
Spending the whole day doing nothing, life seems dull and colourless.
活动常参加，畅聊诗与画
Regular participations in events allows for free-flowing discussions about poetry and painting.
心中有诗意，处处旨清欢
Where there is poetry in the heart, there is joy in every moment.

07）🌷怒不过度
Don't let anger go too far.
中医常教导，怒气易伤肝
Traditional Chinese Medicine often teaches that anger can easily harm the liver.
气多日子难，谁都过不好
When life gets hard, everyone suffers.
生活有烦恼，看开最重要
When life gets tough, it's most important to take it.
心中无闲事，最是乐逍遥
A carefree heart knows true bliss.

08）🌷名不过求
Fame is not worth pursuing
世间最无用，唯有名和利
The most valueless things in the world are fame and wealth.
生时带不来，去时带不走
Nothing comes with you in life, nor does it leave with you in death.
都是身外物，无需太强求
All are external things, no need to be too attached.
过往成云烟，看淡才清闲
Let the past be gone, for a light heart finds peace.

09）🌷利不过贪
No gain is too great for greed/Greed knows no bounds.
人心不满足，小蛇吞大象
A snake swallowing an elephant.
利益不贪占，生活幸福满
No greed for gains, life is full of happiness.
人生多磨难，知足才心欢
Life is full of hardships, but contentment brings joy.
余生很美好，要顺其自然
The rest of life is beautiful, so just go with the flow.

"人情薄如纸，人心狠如狼”，做人别太老实，以免干吃哑巴亏。多少人真心对你好，多少人见不得你好。人前小绵羊，人后黄鼠狼，表面给你的是微笑，背后展现的是全貌。Human feelings are as thin as paper. The will of the people is as vicious as a wolf. Being too honest can lead you to be taken for granted. How many people truly care about you, and how many people are jealous of your success. A lamb in public, a weasel in private. What's shown is a smile, what's real is the truth.

老话常说，短期交往看脸，长期相处看心，一生相伴看品。As the old adage goes, short-term relationships focus on looks, ling-term ones on the heart, and lifelong companionship on character.