Lot 6 of 100
He throws himself down beneath the cliff to feed the tiger
The poem
投身巖下飼於菟須是還他大丈夫捨己也應難再得通行天下此人無
In English
He throws himself down beneath the cliff to feed the tiger.He must repay it like a true hero.Such self-sacrifice is hard to find again,and nobody in the world could match this person.
What it says
The poem draws on the Buddhist story of giving oneself to feed a tiger (於菟 is an old word for tiger), a tale of great sacrifice for others' sake. It praises such courage as rare, and also hints that some choices ask a very high price. It is worth being clear about what you are truly willing to give.
A thought to take with you
Generosity is good, but give within your means and do not take on more than you can bear.