There is such a couplet in the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang: "Life can be more satisfactory, and everything is only half satisfactory." The language of the couplet is simple, but philosophical. This "half-heartedness."

Everything is only half satisfactory

There is such a couplet in the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang: "Where life can be more satisfactory, everything is only half satisfactory." The language of the couplet is simple, but philosophical. This kind of "half-hearted" life and the mentality of contentment and happiness and peace of mind are called by Mr. Lin Yutang as "the most sound ideal of life found by Chinese".

       "Half-heartedness" is not helplessness and negativity, but an open-mindedness and wisdom.

        Since ancient times, life is the most taboo,

        Half poor, half rich and half self-satisfied;

        Half life, half a day, half a chance,

        Half-taking, half-giving, half-doing good;

        Half deaf, half dumb, half confused,

        Half wise, half foolish, half sage;

        Half-human, half-me, half-comfortable,

        Half awake, half drunk, half immortal;

        Half dear, half loving, half bittersweet,

        Half vulgar, half Zen, half followed;

        Half of my life is in me,

        The other half listens naturally.