Man’s life is less than a hundred years
but he’s saddled with a thousand years’ woes.
No sooner have you cured a sickness of your own
then your sons and grandsons load you with care.
Stoop down to see how your grain is growing,
look up to examine your mulberry trees –
When the scale weights have plunked to the bottom of the sea,
only then will you have a moment to rest.
Han Shan