Let me tell you a historical truth. In the 5,000-year history, 95% of the time was shrinking, and only 5% of the time was the so-called boom period. In Chinese history, slow economic downturn is the norm, but prosperity is the abnormality.

For example, the prosperous period of the Han Dynasty lasted 26 years from 167 BC to 141 BC, and the population reached its peak during the period of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty.

The prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty was from 713 to 741 AD, which lasted for 28 years. The population reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty had the longest period of prosperity, lasting 53 years from 1010 AD to 1063 AD. Because the Song Dynasty was relatively tolerant, it reached its peak during the reign of Song Renzong.

Finally, there was the Ming Dynasty. The prosperous period was from 1403 AD to 1424 AD, which was only 21 years. The population reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Yongle.

What do these dynasties do the other 95% of the time? It's all going down slowly. They are all saying that the entire society is short of money, finances and taxes are tight, and there is no money to fight against the nomads. In the end, we have no choice but to start over, and this process is very long.

If I were born in the Tang Dynasty, I would not even feel that the Tang Dynasty was in decline. Every day I still think about the prosperous Tang Dynasty and the coming of all nations. Just like people, we age every day, but we actually can't feel it. So here’s the problem. Our ancestors lived in a downward trend 95% of the time. So how did they live and survive?

In fact, our ancestors have already mentioned many solutions.

For example, Sima Guang said that it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

Li Shangyin said that after looking at the virtuous countries and families in the past, success is due to diligence and frugality, and failure is caused by extravagance.

Lu Youyou said that in the affairs of the world, success is often due to diligence but failure is due to luxury, etc.

In plain English, these are ten words: be diligent and thrifty and avoid extravagance and waste. These ancestral precepts are the crystallization of the wisdom of our ancestors over thousands of years. Many people always look down on their ancestors, even though their wisdom is far above ours. Our generation is the stupidest. For a house, precious lives are filled in. These ancestral teachings are still applicable today. For example, don’t waste money and don’t buy luxury goods. As long as the car can be driven, it is just a means of transportation. Just stay in the house for yourself, don't invest randomly. Cherish every penny and so on.