Philosophical Sayings About Worldly Matter (LXVII67)

Complacency and pessimism are enemies of success. Complacency creates a false pride that inhibits one from learning more, and pessimism leads to inaction that kills all the possibilities of success.

(This is a translation of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu’s philosophical sayings about worldly matters originally written in Chinese.)

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Below is not an official translation, just for reference

Complacency and pessimistic disappointment, though seemingly different, are both enemies of success. When a person becomes complacent, they believe they are superior to others in every way. Even when they encounter something they do not understand, they refuse to lower themselves to ask others for help in order to save face. Without learning, there can be no progress, and thus complacency becomes an obstacle that halts advancement.

On the other hand, a pessimistic and disheartened person cannot possibly pursue any career or goal with vigor, because they lack determination and confidence. They approach everything with discouragement and apathy. Even when success is within reach, they are unable to put in the effort to seize it. Over time, life slips away; aging, illness, and eventually death arrive naturally, and this type of person becomes their own worst enemy — the enemy that destroys all potential accomplishments.