English Rendering
Don't read books
Don't chant poems
When you read books your eyeballs wither away
leaving the bare sockets
When you chant poems your heart leaks out slowly
with each word
People say reading books is enjoyable
People say chanting poems is fun
But if your lips constantly make a sound
like an insect chirping in autumn
you will only turn into a haggard old man
And even if you don't turn into a haggard old man
It's annoying for others to have to hear you
It's so much better
to close your eyes, sit in your study
lower the curtains, sweep the floor,
burn incense.
take a walk when you feel energetic,
and when you're tired go to sleep.
