Source: The Book of Commandments by Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms: "A gentleman's trip is quiet to cultivate one's morality, frugal to cultivate one's morality, indifferent to ambition, and flat to do nothing."
The character of a gentleman is to improve self-cultivation from tranquility and cultivate morality from thrift. You can't be clear about your ambitions without being quiet, and you can't achieve your lofty goals without excluding external interference.
Extended data
Appreciation of the Book of Commandments:
The Book of Commandments was written in the 12th year of Jianxing in Shu Han Dynasty (234). It was a letter written by Zhuge Liang to his eight-year-old son Zhuge Zhan in his later years. Zhuge Liang dedicated his life to the country and died. He worked day and night for the national cause of Shu and Han and neglected to educate his son personally, so he wrote this letter to warn Zhuge Zhan.
The Ten Commandments not only expounds the ways and methods of self-cultivation, but also points out the relationship between determination and learning. It not only explains the importance of tranquility and indifference, but also points out the harm of indulgence, neglect and extreme impatience. Zhuge Liang is not only strict with his son in general principles, but also shows subtle concern for his children in some specific matters.