Lot 52 of 100
Trying to catch the moon in the water is wasted effort
The poem
水中捉月費工夫費盡功夫卻又無莫信閑言併浪論枉拋心力也難圖
In English
Trying to catch the moon in the water is wasted effort;after all that work, there is nothing.Do not believe idle talk or random chatter;your effort will be thrown away and nothing can be gained.
What it says
Reaching for the moon in the water is wasted effort: you can see the reflection but cannot grasp it. The poem tells you not to trust idle talk and empty claims, lest your effort be thrown away. It encourages distinguishing the real from the illusory, and aiming effort at what is attainable.
A thought to take with you
Direct your energy toward goals you can actually reach, and listen less to empty talk.