What do we hope to earn for ourselves in life? What can withstand the tests of time? What can be with us until the very end, and relieve us from grief and worries?

Roughly speaking, there may be many millionaires in this world, but we can still do the following:

1. Earn happiness and respect through working and serving others.

2. Earn respect and courtesy through interacting with others.

3. Earn peace of mind and compassion through practicing our faith.

All these inner treasures by far outweigh any bank interests and dividends.

If you laugh, those around you will also laugh with you.

If you are sad, those close by will also feel sad with you.

If you sing, those near you will also sing with you. If you are humorous, those who hear you will also have fun with you. If you uphold morality, concentration, and wisdom, you will also be surrounded by warmth. If you pursue what is truthful, virtuous, and beautiful, friends will always embrace you. Therefore, to speak ill of people, others will also speak ill of you; to be jealous of what others have, others will also fear you.

── from Hsing Yun Riji
(Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Diaries) and others