禪林寶訓 3.51

3.51

妙喜曰。陽極則陰生。陰極則陽生。盛衰相乘乃天地自然之數。惟豐亨宜乎日中。故曰。日中則昃月滿則虧。天地盈虧與時消息。而況於人乎。所以古之人當其血氣壯盛之時。慮光陰之易往。則朝念夕思戒謹彌懼。不恣情不逸欲。惟道是求。遂能全其令聞。若夫墮之以逸慾。敗之以恣情。殆於不可救。方頓足扼腕而追之晚矣。時乎難得而易失也（薌林書）。

Miaoxi said: “When yang reaches its peak, yin is born; when yin reaches its peak, yang is born. The alternation of flourishing and decline is the natural reckoning of heaven and earth. Only in abundance and prosperity is it fitting to be at high noon. Therefore it is said: ‘When the sun reaches midday it declines; when the moon waxes full it wanes.’ The waxing and waning of heaven and earth rise and fall with time, and how much more so for human beings! Therefore, when people of ancient times were in their prime of vitality, they took care that time easily slips away; morning and evening they reflected and contemplated, cautious and increasingly fearful, not indulging passions nor pursuing wanton desires, seeking only the Way, and thus were able to preserve their fine reputation. As for those who corrupt themselves with wanton desires and ruin themselves with indulged passions, when they are on the verge of being beyond salvation, they only then stamp their feet and wring their wrists in late regret. Time is hard to obtain and easy to lose!” (Xianglin shu).