What is depicted in the above drawings carries a sharp contrast:reveling in his extensive book collection, the man in the left picture fails to read even one word; conversely, deciding to complete twenty books this year, the man in the right picture is reading attentively.
As indicated in the cartoon,two distinct behaviors—all alking or taking action—serve as two factors affecting the quality and self-cultivation as well as the success of a person. At an early stage, we have been repeatedly told that one can flourish where the action is. The case of Xu Beihong, a renowned Chinese painter, is a good illustration of this point. With sustained efforts spent on plowing through the study of Western art,he finally created a new form of national art.
Contrarily, nothing could be accomplished without action. For instance, Zhao Kuo, a general in the Warring States Period, seemed very eloquent, but turned out to be just an armchair strategist. At last, his forces were defeated by Qin army and he himself was shot to death. Therefore, always remember that the difference between"possessing books"and"reading books"—"ordinary"and"excellent" or"mediocre"and"magnificent"—lies in action.
Apparently, never has there been a schedule, however carefully executed to detail and content, which could carry us over even one inch of ground. It is action that ignites our dreams and helps our success. Hence, it is better to stand up and take actions than just to sit and talk.