Good advice is usually hard to take, just as good medicine usually tastes bitter. - Master Sheng Yen

There is always competition. Just focus on your own endeavor without envy or jealousy. - Master Sheng Yen

While it may seem romantic to seize the moment and enjoy life's pleasure to the fullest, it is doing good deeds whenever and wherever you can that will truly bring you life's blessings and rewards. - Master Sheng Yen

Simple meals and clothes are as good as fancy ones. Hard work leads to good health and thrift leads to wealth. - Master Sheng Yen

Be content with poverty, but hard work and thrift will lead you to wealth; stay calm in the face of turmoil and keep your mind from being perturbed. - Master Sheng Yen

One will not suffer any loss by being disiplined with oneself, one has much to gain by being forgiving towards others. - Master Sheng Yen

Do not slack off because you are smart enough; always compensate for a lack of intelligence with diligence. - Master Sheng Yen

Be sincere, and your prayer will be answered, be diligent, and anything can be accomplished. - Master Sheng Yen

To live happily ever after, be grateful and respectful to one another, learn from one another, forgive one another, and love and support one another. - Master Sheng Yen

View everything in the world with gratitude. If one is not grateful and does not repay the kindness of others, one will soon run out of good luck. - Master Sheng Yen

Always reflect upon oneself with a sense of contrition. Without selfreflection on one's behavior, one is in constant danger of going astray. - Master Sheng Yen

Reflect upon oneself with a sense of contrition, and always be mindful that one has not done enough for and given enough to oneself and others. - Master Sheng Yen

Those seeking blessings should first plant, cultivate, and cherish the seed of blessings; those seeking wealth should first create good causes and conditions; those seeking longevity should first take good care of one's body and mind; those seeking good luck should first be pleasant and kind to others. - Master Sheng Yen

Plant your seeds, weed and fertilize your field, be grateful when you have a full harvest and pray for more auspicious years to come. - Master Sheng Yen

One shall find lifelong happiness by being of service to others. Sow favorable conditions whenever one is able or regrets will ensue. - Master Sheng Yen

Cultivate blessings, and family wealth may last for a hundred years; be selfish, and family fortunes will not survive three generations. Master Sheng Yen

The value of managing wealth lies in giving; the reason for possessing money is to cultivate blessings. - Master Sheng Yen

One who does not use his wealth to benefit others is analogous to one who is all dressed up in complete darkness where no one can see him -- it is vain and foolish. - Master Sheng Yen

Harboring gratitude will nurture blessings that you can use all your life, harboring hatred will create obstructions that follow you forever. - Master Sheng Yen

Be grateful to and repay the kindness of others. Avoid emotional entanglement that causes suffering. - Master Sheng Yen

The kindness of one's parents is greater than heaven and earth; the virtues of the Three Jewels are greater than the countless grains of sand in the Ganges. - Master Sheng Yen