Caigen Tan “is a collection of quotes collected and compiled by Hong Yingming, a Taoist during the early Ming Dynasty, discussing cultivation, life, social interactions, and worldly affairs. Its writing is concise, clear, and elegant, while also incorporating both refined and popular elements. Like a quote, but with an interest that quotes do not possess; Like an essay, but with a refinement that is not easily accessible to essays; Like admonishment, but lacking in the warmth and clarity of admonishment.
《菜根谭》是明朝还初道人洪应明收集编著的一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录集。其文字简炼明隽，兼采雅俗。似语录，而有语录所没有的趣味；似随笔，而有随笔所不易及的整饬；似训诫，而有训诫所缺乏的亲切醒豁。
《菜根谭》（保已成业、防将来非）
图未就之功，不如保已成之业；悔既往之失，不如防将来之非。
It is better to safeguard what you have already accomplished than to crave for exploits of the future. It is better to guard against further mistakes than to waste time regretting past ones.
（保罗·怀特 译）
It is better to preserve the exploits already in hand than to attempt the ones not yet achieved. Likewise, it is better to prevent mistakes in the future than to regret the ones you made in the past.
（周文标 译）
Rather than seek new achievements, try to maintain old ones; regret over past mistakes, but also try to avoid future ones.
（蒋坚松 译）
