Quote by Lin Yutang, The Importance of Li
...by association with natures enormities, a man's heart may truly grow big also. There is a way of looking upon a landscape as a moving picture and being satisfied with nothing less big as a moving picture, a way of looking upon tropic clouds over the horizon as the backdrop of a stage and being satisfied with nothing less big as a backdrop, a way of looking upon the mountain forests as a private garden and being satisfied with nothing less as a private garden, a way of listening to the roaring waves as a concert and being satisfied with nothing less as a concert, and a way of looking upon the mountain breeze as an air-cooling system and being satisfied with nothing less as an air-cooling system. So do we become big, even as the earth and firmaments are big. Like the 'Big Man' described by Yuan Tsi (A.D. 210-263), one of China's first romanticists, we 'live in heaven and earth as our house.'
Summary
This quote suggests that by immersing ourselves in the vastness and grandeur of nature, our perspective can expand and our hearts can be filled with a sense of awe and wonder. The author describes viewing earthly scenes as if they were extraordinary and larger-than-life, like being captivated by a moving picture or perceiving clouds and forests as majestic backdrops and personal gardens. By appreciating the magnitude and beauty of nature, we can find fulfillment and contentment, feeling connected to something greater than ourselves. The reference to the 'Big Man' emphasizes the idea of finding our place in the universe and embracing the vastness of heaven and earth as our home.
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