Yi Hwang 李滉
c. 1550 · Joseon Korea · On withdrawing from office to the stream in his home district. He renamed the stream Toegye, "retreat stream," and took it as his own name
Out of office, I am at ease in my foolish lot; my learning slips back, and I worry for my late years. At last I have settled beside the stream, and looking at the running water I examine myself each day.
身退安愚分 學退憂暮境
溪上始定居 臨流日有省Toegye jip, "Toegye"
In the same thread
Tao Yuanming 陶淵明
405 · Eastern Jin China · On giving up office and going home
I delight in the fond talk of my family, and take pleasure in the zither and my books to drive away care.
悅親戚之情話，樂琴書以消憂。"The Return" (Guiqulai ci)
Gang Jeongildang 姜靜一堂
1823 · Joseon Korea
The night is deep and all stirring has ceased. The courtyard is empty, the white moon bright. My heart is clear as if washed, and wide open I see my own nature.
夜久羣動息 庭空皓月明
方寸淸如洗 豁然見性情Jeongildang yugo, "Sitting at Night"
Sumangala's Mother Sumaṅgalamātā
c. 5th century BC · ancient India · The end of a song about being freed from the pestle and the cooking pot
I come to the foot of a tree and think, "Oh, the happiness!" and meditate in happiness.
Sā rukkhamūlamupagamma, Aho sukhanti sukhato jhāyāmī
Therigatha (Verses of the Elder Nuns) 2.3
Zhang Chao 張潮
1690s · Qing China
In ruling yourself, carry the air of autumn. In dealing with the world, carry the air of spring.
律己宜帶秋氣，處世宜帶春氣。Dream Shadows (Youmengying)
Zhang Chao 張潮
1690s · Qing China
Flowers cannot be without butterflies. Hills cannot be without springs. Rocks cannot be without moss. Water cannot be without waterweed. Tall trees cannot be without creepers. And a person cannot be without an obsession.
花不可以無蝶，山不可以無泉，石不可以無苔，水不可以無藻，喬木不可以無藤蘿，人不可以無癖。Dream Shadows (Youmengying)
1 in 100 Billion · The social network of those who came before us