The 128 most classic philosophical essays in the world

Chapter 25 The Natural Rhythm of Life

[China] Lin Yutang

Because it is a spiritual song of early autumn, there is tranquility, wisdom, and a mature spirit, smiling to sorrow, and praising the refreshing breeze of joy.

There comes a time in our lives, as individuals and as a nation, when we are filled with the spirit of early autumn, when green and gold mingle, sorrow and joy mix, hope and memory Alternate.There comes a time in our lives when the innocence of youth is a memory, and the echoes of summer's exuberance are still faintly audible in the air, when the question of looking at life is not how to develop, but how to really live; not How to struggle and work hard, but how to enjoy the precious moment you have; not how to waste energy, but how to store this energy for winter use.At this time, I feel that I have arrived at a certain place, settled down, and found what I yearn for.At this time, I feel that I have gained something. Compared with the grandeur and luxuriance of the past, it is precious and small. Some can last for a long time.

I love spring, but too young, I love summer, but too proud, so I love autumn best, for its leaves are golden, ripe, rich, but a little sad and premonitory of death.Its golden richness signifies not the pure ignorance of spring, nor the mighty power of summer, but the maturity and amiable wisdom of old age.In the autumn of life, I feel satisfied knowing the limit of life.Knowing the limits of life, and under rich experience, there is a harmony of tones, the richness of which can never be achieved.Its green signifies life and strength, its orange signifies golden contentment, and its purple signifies obedience and death.

The moonlight shines on the autumn trees, and their faces are pale and contemplative; the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the early autumn trees, and they are still laughing.The morning breeze sweeps across the mountains, causing the trembling leaves to fall to the ground with ease and joy. No one knows for sure whether the song of falling leaves is a song of laughter or tears of parting.Because it is a spiritual song of early autumn, there is tranquility, wisdom, and a mature spirit, smiling to sorrow, and praising the refreshing breeze of joy.

Heart mark notes
The appearance of life corresponds to its specific stage, which is the essence of life-and this is what this vivid and elegant essay tells us.

Mr. Lin Yutang used the four seasons of nature as a metaphor to express the characteristics of several stages of life.And his only love is the tranquility, wisdom, maturity, freedom, comfort, harmony, precipitation, richness, and exuberance of autumn... In autumn, life begins to wash away all its lead in maturity and destiny, showing its true nature.

Throughout the text, Mr. Lin Yutang is full of praise for the autumn of life, showing his simple, tolerant, peaceful and rational character and temperament in philosophy of life, and at the same time showing his elegant, indifferent and fulfilling attitude towards life.

(End of this chapter)