Translation: A person with an impatient temper, his words and deeds are as hot as fire, as if anything he touches will be burned; a person who lacks sympathy and is mean and ungrateful, his words and deeds are as cold as ice and snow, as if anything that touches him will be destroyed. People with stubborn and dull minds are like stagnant water and rotten roots, completely cut off from vitality, and they are not people who can make achievements and benefit society and mankind.
译文：一个性情急躁的人，他的言行如烈火一般炽热，仿佛跟他接触的物体都会被焚烧；一个缺乏同情心刻薄寡恩的的，他的言行就 像冰雪一般冷酷，仿佛任何物体碰到他都会遭到残害。头脑顽固而呆板的人， 像死水朽本，已经完全断绝了生机，这都不是建功立业为社会人类造福的人。
《菜根谭》(偏激之人,难建功业)
躁性者火炽，遇物则焚，寡恩者冰清，逢物必杀。凝滞固执者，如死水腐木，生机已绝，俱难建功业而延福祉。
An irascible person is like a raging fire; whatever he encounters he wants to burn it up. A mean person is as cold as ice; whatever he meets he wants to harm. A still and stubborn person is like stagnant water or rotten wood; he has lost all vitality. No matter what they do, such people find success and happiness elusive.
