《菜根谭》是明朝还初道人洪应明收集编著的一部论述修养、人生、处世、出世的语录集，为旷古稀世的奇珍宝训。对于人的正心修身、养性育德，有不可思议的潜移默化的力量。其文字简炼明隽，兼采雅俗。似语录，而有语录所没有的趣味；似随笔，而有随笔所不易及的整饬；似训诫，而有训诫所缺乏的亲切醒豁；且有雨余山色，夜静钟声，点染其间，其所言清霏有味，风月无边。

《菜根谭·兢业的心思 潇洒的趣味》 洪应明

学者有段兢业的心思，又要有段潇洒的趣味。若一味敛束清苦，是有秋杀无春生，何以发育万物？

Although a scholar should be circumspect in his behaviour, he should also have a lively and untrammeled spirit. What will happen if he exercises self-restraint to such an extent as to allow himself nothing other than a Spartan living? It will be just like having a world always in the grip of autumn's decay and bereft of spring's vigour. How then can the universe flourish?