swiftest stallion

It was on a south-bound train, a few hours out of Beijing, that my lens caught this painted mosaic beyond the track:

Train #1403 slumbers along at unremarkable speeds, but even still, I am not quick enough to make meaning of these Chinese characters. My camera often acts as my ancillary faculty, and this snapshot proved no exception.

I awaited the opportunity to discover the wisdom written into these characters, above these colorful stallions.

writing on the wall

人无我有，人有我优，人优我精，人精我名

the swiftest stallion eats the greenest grass?

A bit of digging and a first translation later, a summary: The individual that prospers does so, [such that or so that] the community may benefit from it; you may even end up benefiting the most.

Or... perhaps it's not so much about helping others at all.... it's about taking initiative and the rewards to be gained.

After writing and pondering over the above, I think it is quite similar to the words of the well-known Benjamin Franklin, a Deist: God helps those who help themselves.

More so, it seems to say that you need to keep one step ahead of your neighbor, if you want to succeed.

line by line

人无我有 [rén wú wǒ yǒu]
Where others all but lack, I must gain.
人有我优 [rén yǒu wǒ yōu]
Where others simply gain, I must excel.
人优我精 [rén yōu wǒ jīng]
Where others merely excel, I must prosper.
人精我名 [rén jīng wǒ míng]
Where others only prosper, I will have fame.

interpretation

It would seem these stallions are not out for a teasing trot, nor an easy canter. In fact, these stallions are neck and neck, all-out galloping.

This is my first attempt to translate such an idiom or poem, and I am reminded that poetry -especially- is up for interpretation. Poetry [and its interpretation] is depth reflecting on beauty.

That it faces the train tracks, seems that the mural was erected especially for those riding the rail.

Of the millions riding this coal-eating, iron-striding horse, I wonder how many eyes actually meet these words.

Or are they too busy, racing too quickly, to see?

Note: Access to Blogger is still blocked within China. Without access to a much appreciated VPN (proxy), I would be unable to publish to my blog from within mainland China. Thus, I am blessed and grateful to be sharing. With every post, I hereby protest the oppressive nature of the Chinese government blocking access to any part of the web.