虛榮與務實

 虛榮與務實

現代的青少年，只重外表，不求實際，所謂「金玉其外，敗絮其中。」有一個笑話，可以說明虛榮心的毫無意義、毫無價值。

有兩個人在吵嘴，吵得不可開交，旁邊圍攏著一群愛慕虛榮的人，想替他倆勸解。

首先，有一個裝金牙的人說道：
「請你們不要吵了，讓我來給你們陪個笑吧！」
說著就咧開滿嘴的金牙大笑起來。
這時，有一個臉上擦粉的人，很快的站起來，指著自己的臉說道：
「請你們不要吵了，賞給我一個薄面吧！」
手上戴著金戒指的人，立刻握起拳來，在空中揮舞了一下，說道：
「你們如果再吵下去，我就給你們一人一拳。」
腳下穿著新皮鞋的人，說道：
「你們如果還要再吵，我可要給你們一人一腳。」
說著，撩起褲管，作勢將腳抬了起來。
一個身上穿著新衣服的人，奮勇向前大聲說道：
「請不要再吵，一切都看在我的身上吧！」
說著，拍拍自己的胸膛。

這一群好虛榮的人，不能用道理來說服人，也不知用道德來感化人，只用穿著來誇耀自己，難道衣服、鞋襪能夠表現一個人的偉大崇高嗎？甚至有的人，不只日常用品、穿著衣物，都要講究名牌，尤其凡事愛出風頭、喜歡受人讚美、經常吹捧自己等等，諸多浮華不實之事，都是虛榮心的表現。

其實，做人應該實事求是，不要打腫臉充胖子，不要逞一時之快，凡事要腳踏實地，要爭千秋，不要只爭一時。越王勾踐的臥薪嘗膽，諸葛孔明的隴中養精蓄銳；多少人的十載寒窗，多少人的生聚教訓，都在說明，從務實勤勞裏才能成功。反之，一個人如果只學會虛榮，而不肯務實的做人，就如一棵沒有根的樹，是很容易枯萎的；又如一棟地基不穩的大樓，隨時都有倒塌的可能。所以吾人應知，虛榮只是一時的，務實才是永久的。玄奘大師的「言無名利，行絕虛浮」，正是我們最好的學習典範。

Vanity and Practicality

As the saying goes, "An exterior of gold and jade belies an interior of rot and decay." Many young people today only care for external appearance and not for practicality. There is a joke that clearly illustrates how totally meaningless and valueless vanity is.
Two people were arguing and bickering with one another, unable to settle their differences. Gradually, a crowd of vain people gathered around them, looking for a way to break them up. First, someone with a mouthful of golden teeth went up to them and said, "Stop your arguing. Let me give you a bright smile!" And in saying so, he smiled broadly, displaying his mouthful of shiny gold teeth.

Then, someone with a powdered face got up quickly and pointed to his face saying, "Please don't fight anymore! Just give me 'face'!"

Another person wearing a large gold ring on his finger came forward, swinging a clenched fist in the air and declared, "If you two carry on any longer, I'll punch you both!"

Then, a person wearing new shoes moved to the front and proclaimed, "If you want to keep arguing, I'll kick you!" And in so saying, he lifted his trouser leg and raised his foot to kick.
Finally, a person wearing new clothes rushed up and shouted loudly, "Please don't argue any more! I will bear what it takes!" And he patted his chest in saying so.

This group of vain people could not persuade anyone with their reasoning, nor were they able to win anyone over with their morals. They only wanted to show off what they were wearing, unaware that greatness cannot be displayed through appearance and apparel. These days many people insist on buying only designer-brand items and clothing that they like to show off. They crave the praise of others and are often boastful of themselves. Such impracticalities are the display of vain minds.

We should have both feet on the ground in whatever we do, and, should we decide to undertake any endeavor, we should strive for the long-term and not for the moment. There are many examples throughout Chinese history in which kings and heroes persevered for years before they reached their goals, and scholars who spent a decade preparing for an examination. Through their examples, we learn how success can be achieved through hard work and practicality.

Conversely, if we are vain and unrealistic in what we set out to do, we are like a tree without roots. A tree without roots easily withers, like a building with a poor foundation that is liable to collapse at anytime. We should be fully aware that vanity is only for the moment, but practicality lasts over time. Just as Venerable Master Xuanzang once said, "One should speak not of fame or fortune, but should act with practicality." That is the best exemplar for us to follow.