"山中何所有？嶺上多白雲。"

Huangshan (from youtube by JohnnyNK)

陶弘景(456－536 AD), a multitalented ancient Chinese poet, was
also a calligrapher, herbalist, philosopher, religionist (Daoist)
and naturalist.

Like 陶淵明 (365-427 AD), another 陶先生, he quit a government
job and took an early retirement at age of 36. He retired to a
mountain retreat at 茅山(江蘇) and devoted himself to the study of
Daoism (修道).

He knew how to enjoy his tranquil retirement living and appreciate
the beauty of nature. In his “答謝中書書”, he wrote:

“山川之美，古來共談。高峰入雲，清流見底。兩岸石壁，五色交輝。
青林翠竹，四時具備。曉霧將歇，猿鳥亂鳴；夕日欲頹，沉鱗競躍。
實是慾界之仙都。自康樂以來，未復有能與其奇者。”

The Emperor (梁武帝) sent him a “詔書” and asked him “山中何所有?”.
Showing his “高節” integrity, he simply replied:

”山中何所有? 嶺上多白雲。只可自怡悅, 不堪持贈君。”.

Learn to enjoy what you have, even the clouds over your home.


Yeh Tze