Note 27 — Chapter XV · NEW YEAR’S DAY AT KUEI-CHOW FU
Reading edition
Dr. Wells Williams, on p. 812 of The Middle Kingdom, vol. i., says that a literary man would have such a sentence as—
“May I be so learned as to secrete in my mind three myriads of volumes”;
“May I know the affairs of the world for six thousand years.”
While a shopkeeper would adorn his door with such mottoes as these—
“May profits be like the morning sun rising on the clouds”;
“May wealth increase like the morning tide which brings the rain”;
“Manage your occupation according to truth and loyalty.”
“Hold on to benevolence and rectitude in all your trading.”
Dr. Williams adds that the influence of these and countless similar mottoes which are to be seen throughout the land is inestimable, and is usually for good. At all events it is better to have a high ideal than a low one.