緇門警訓 8.90

8.90

Among all things in the world, nothing is more venomous than poisonous snakes, and nothing is more foul than excrement and urine. This is because the venom of snakes can harm a person's life, and the filth of excrement and urine can soil a person's body and clothing. Therefore, those who wish to preserve their lives must keep far away from venomous harm, and those who wish to keep their bodies and clothing clean must eliminate foul filth. Yet worldly people, when dreaming of snakes, rejoice that they will obtain wealth; and when dreaming of excrement and urine, are delighted that they will gain profit. Why are their likes and dislikes so different between waking and dreaming? If they knew what to avoid while clear-minded and what to fear while awake, why would they inevitably be joyful upon seeing wealth and delighted upon seeing profit? Moreover, the venom of wealth is far worse than that of snakes, and the filth of profit exceeds even that of excrement and urine. Furthermore, among the ancients, those who harmed their lives on account of wealth were more than one; those who defiled their bodies and clothing on account of profit were likewise numerous. Yet those who are unawakened love them ceaselessly and covet them without end; this is truly lamentable. Moreover, poverty and wealth are determined by a person's allotted share. If one can rest content with one's share, though poor, one will still be joyful; if one cannot rest content with one's share, even if rich, one will constantly worry. If one can understand that one's share can bring contentment and that poverty can bring joy, then one's life can be preserved and maintained, and one's body and clothing can be kept clean and preserved. Thus one knows that those who covet wealth are rearing venomous snakes, and those who are fond of profit will certainly defile their bodies and clothing. It is not that I am fond of poverty; it is that I keep far away from venomous harm. It is not that I hate wealth; it is that I eliminate foul filth. If there are those who keep far away from wealth as they would from venomous snakes, and cast away profit as they would excrement and urine, I guarantee that such persons may gradually become realized people. Otherwise, if one overly indulges the richness of life and has no end to craving and covetousness, one will certainly find one's life harmed and one's body and clothing defiled. May worldly people take instruction from this!