The phrase ‘the killing intent is cold and thin, but the harmony and happiness are thick’ comes from ‘Caigen Tan’. ‘Caigen Tan’ is a collection of sayings on cultivation, life, interpersonal relationships, and worldly affairs collected and compiled by the Taoist Hong Yingming during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. The general idea of this paragraph is that nature operates throughout the four seasons. When spring and summer are warm, all things grow; when autumn and winter are cold, all things lose their vitality. The principle of being a person is the same as nature. A person with a high temperament who is indifferent will naturally receive less blessings; Only those who are gentle and enthusiastic in helping others will not only receive abundant blessings, but also have a long-lasting official position.
“杀气寒薄，和气福厚”出自《菜根谭》，《菜根谭》是元末明初道人洪应明收集编著的一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录世集。本段大意：大自然四季运转，春夏和暖万物就获得生长，秋冬寒冷万物就丧失生机。做人的道理也和大自然一样，一个性情高做冷漠的人，他所能得到的福分自 然就淡薄；只有那些个性温和而又热情助人的人，他获得的福分不但丰厚， 他的官位也会久长。
《菜根谭》（杀气寒薄，和气福厚）
天地之气，暖则生，寒则杀。故性气清冷者，受享亦凉薄。唯和气热心之人，其福也厚，其泽也长。
When the essence which pervades nature is warm it promotes the growth of the myriad things. When it is cold it tends to destroy the vitality of the myriad things. Therefore, when a man is cold in nature he receives little in the way of enjoyment. On the other hand, when a man is warm-hearted, he has lots of happiness and is the beneficiary of a constant stream of kindness.（保罗·怀特 译）
When the atmosphere of heaven and earth is warm it speeds up the growth of all living beings; and when cold it suppresses. Thus we know that if a man gives cold shoulder to others, he will surely receive the same in return. Only those who are brimming with enthusiasm and ready to lend a hand could appreciate boundless fortune and endless gratitude.（周文标 译）
