We should personally practice, always hanging the words “birth ” and “death” on our brows, and putting
the words “Way” and “virtue” beneath our feet. Maybe that’s hard to understand—why should we put the
words “Way” and “virtue” under our feet? Because the Way and virtue are a person’s foundation. They
are to us what roots are to a tree. Once we have the Way and virtue, we can stand on our own feet. But
with no base under our feet, we have no place to stand. We are in a fix, unable to advance or retreat, and
we cannot accomplish anything. If we can actually practice these two things, then we can establish a good
character and naturally be successful in whatever we do. So it’s said, “The Way and virtue are the
foundation of being a person.” The Analects of Confucius also say, “The superior person attends to the
root. When the root is established, the Way comes forth.” Only when the fundamentals are tended to can
the Way come forth. This is wise advice from the ancients.
Master Hua, Talks on Dharma, vol. one