1. Rather stick to moral integrity than be attached to the powerful and influential.
栖守道德者，寂寞一时；依阿①权势者，凄凉万古。达人观物外之物②，思身后之身③；宁受一时之寂寞，毋取万古之凄凉。
注 释
① 依阿：依附讨好。
② 物外之物：物质之外的东西。此处指精神财富或精神价值。
③ 身后之身：人死后留在世上的名声。
今文解译
谨守道德的人，也许会寂寞一时；而依附权贵的人，则必然会凄凉一辈子。豁达的人看重的是精神层面的东西以及自己身后的名声。所以，他们宁肯忍受寂寞于一时，也不愿意凄凉孤寂一辈子。
English Translation
Those who stick to their moral integrity might be lonesome for a time. Whereas, those who cling to the powerful and influential will surely become desolate for good and all. To a well-cultivated person, the worthiest are the gains beyond material and the name after him. It is because of this that he had rather endure momentary loneliness than receive endless desolation.
