"A small pond opens like a mirror,With skies and clouds hovering over.How can the water be so clear?It’s because there’s a source of fresh water flowing in."

This poem by Zhu Xi, a renowned Song Dynasty Confucian scholar, uses the imagery of a small pond to convey a profound metaphor about clarity and renewal. The pond reflects the vast sky and drifting clouds, symbolizing the harmony between nature and human thought. Its pristine clarity is attributed to the continuous flow of fresh water, which serves as an analogy for constant learning and self-cultivation.
Zhu Xi’s work emphasizes the importance of nurturing one’s mind and spirit through a persistent pursuit of knowledge and moral integrity. The poem invites readers to reflect on how personal growth, like the clear pond, requires a steady source of enrichment and renewal.