63. Being Undaunted by Troubles

Laugh when troubles come your way.
Nothing conquers calamity better than that.

A tide of troubles will recede the moment 
an intelligent man's mind collects itself to face them.

Trouble itself they send away troubled 
who do not trouble themselves at the sight of it.

Troubles will feel troubled facing a man who faces them
like the determined bullock that wades through every difficulty.

Though massed upon him like a mountain,
a man's afflictions will be crushed by his undaunted will.

Those who do not clutch their wealth, boasting, "I have so much,"
will not, in poorer times, bemoan, "I have so little."

Knowing this body to be the prey of misery,
high souls, expecting troubles, do not find them troublesome.

Declaring difficulties to be perfectly natural,
those who do not pursue life's pleasures will not suffer its sorrows.

He who does not long for joy in joy 
will not suffer sorrow in sorrow.

The man who does not distinguish pain from pleasure
becomes so distinguished that even enemies hope to pay homage.