In becoming a person of merit,
Though you perform no lofty deeds
If you are able to shake off worldly mindedness,
You will become one of the
Renowned for that alone.

In pursuing studies,
Though you make no increase in ingenuity,
If you are able to decrease
The externals that afflict the heart,
You will cross over to the land
Of the sages for that alone.

Hong Zicheng (1572 CE-1620 CE), Hong Zicheng was a Chinese philosopher who lived during the end of the Ming dynasty