The Lizard and the Snake
A small lizard saw a long and majestic snake gliding among the grass. Envying the snake's flexibility and length, the lizard said "I will also stretch and become majestic like him." The lizard squeezed between a rock crevice and tried to stretch and lengthen its body with all its strength. Unable to withstand the extreme strain, the lizard's weak body split in two in the middle and died right there.
Those who forget their natural structure, capacity, and limits and force the impossible to resemble others face disaster. It is wisdom to develop one's own intrinsic qualities rather than forcing physical and mental limits. Unnecessary envies and desires exceeding one's bounds destroy a person by their own hands. Knowing one's place and being content with one's own abilities is the greatest safety.
Envies exceeding one's own structure bring disaster. Forcing the impossible takes life. One who does not know their limit perishes. One cannot compete with another lineage.
Knowing one's place is safety. Envy drags a person into disaster. Being content with your own ability is wisdom.