In a peaceful village surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, there was a merchant named Zhao Qi. He was born into a poor family and had endured the hardships and difficulties of life since childhood. There was often a lack of food and clothing in his family. To ease the burden on his family, when he was still young, he worked hard in the fields with the elders. His small body bore the heavy load that didn't match his age. However, the wheel of fate started turning unexpectedly. With his unwavering efforts and one chance after another, Zhao Qi struggled hard in the business world step by step and gradually accumulated quite a considerable amount of wealth.

One day, as the sunlight bathed the winding path leading to the Taoist temple, Zhao Qi, filled with confusion and expectation, came to the ancient and serene Taoist temple nestled among the mountain forests. The architecture of the temple was solemn and imposing. The vermilion gate was a bit mottled under the erosion of time, yet it added a sense of historical solemnity. Zhao Qi stepped over the threshold, walked through the quiet courtyard, and met an otherworldly Taoist priest. The priest was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, wearing a Taoist crown on his head. He had a thin face and deep, wise eyes, as if he could see through the vanity and truth of all things in the world.

Zhao Qi respectfully saluted the priest and then sincerely asked, "Reverend, I was born into a poor family. Thanks to my hard work and good fortune, I have the wealth I have today. However, I'm often worried in my heart and don't know how to maintain this wealth for a long time. I hope you can enlighten me." The priest nodded slightly and looked at Zhao Qi calmly, saying slowly, "Listen, 'Never be shaken by poverty or debauch by wealth.' This is an ancient and profound truth. In life, no matter what situation you are in, you should never lose your true self. If you can hold on to your beliefs when you are poor, remain unyielding; and when you are wealthy, not be arrogant or extravagant, and not be bewitched by wealth and beauty, always stay true to yourself, then your fortune will be like the evergreen pine deeply rooted in the earth, with a solid foundation and lasting for a long time."

After hearing these words, Zhao Qi felt as if a flash of inspiration had struck his mind. It was as if he had suddenly seen a bright lighthouse guiding the way forward in the thick fog. He knew deeply that although he had gone through countless difficulties and obstacles along the way, he must not lose his former simplicity and perseverance in the face of wealth. So, he began to pay more attention to his moral character and ethical norms. In his business operations, he adhered to the principle of honesty as the foundation. He would never pass off inferior goods as good ones or cheat customers. When dealing with business partners, he always treated them sincerely, conducted fair transactions, and never sought short-term gains at the expense of others' interests.

Even as his wealth increased day by day, Zhao Qi still maintained a humble and low-key attitude towards life. He didn't build luxurious mansions or show off his wealth just because his family was well-off. His house was still those simple old ones, and the furnishings inside were also extremely simple and plain. He usually lived a simple life with plain food and simple clothes. When getting along with neighbors, he was amiable and approachable without any airs. He often generously donated money to help the poor families in the village, built water conservancy facilities, improved the irrigation conditions of farmland, and contributed to the development of the village.

As time went by, Zhao Qi's business became more and more prosperous. Wealth flowed to him continuously like a trickle of water, and it became more and more stable. His good moral character and kind deeds became a much-told story in the village and won him high praise and respect from the villagers. The villagers all regarded him as a role model and eagerly followed his way of dealing with people and things.

The Taoist thought contained herein is like the bright stars hanging high in the sky, shining with eternal light in the long river of history. The concept of "Never be shaken by poverty or debauch by wealth" deeply reflects Taoism's noble pursuit of the realm of life and moral integrity. In Taoism's view, wealth is just a superficial manifestation among all things in the world. Its existence and disappearance have their own destinies, while a person's true self and moral character are the key factors that determine the direction of one's fate.

When a person is in a poor situation, he often faces many difficulties, hardships, and temptations. At this time, if he can hold on to his beliefs and ideals in his heart and not be shaken by external pressures and difficulties, like the sturdy bamboo that still stands upright in the strong wind, tough and unyielding, then he will invisibly accumulate a powerful spiritual force. This force will be like the bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, bringing unexpected opportunities and turning points in his future growth process.

And when a person is lucky enough to obtain wealth and status, he should be more vigilant against the various temptations brought by wealth and status. Wealth easily makes people breed pride, greed, and extravagance. If one indulges in it, he will gradually lose himself, forget his original intention, and eventually lead to the loss of wealth and the decline of life. Only by keeping a clear head, not being bewitched by wealth and beauty, and treating wealth with a normal heart, regarding it as a tool to realize the value of life and social responsibility, can one make his fortune last long and blessings continue.

Throughout history, countless examples can serve as powerful evidence of this thought. In the past, there was Yan Hui. Although he lived in poverty, staying in a humble alley, having only a single bamboo basket for food and a gourd for water, he could still find contentment in poverty and pursue learning wholeheartedly, striving for the perfection of morality and spiritual abundance. His noble moral character of not being shaken by poverty won high praise from Confucius and was admired and emulated by countless people with lofty ideals in later generations.

Another example is Fan Li. After helping King Goujian of Yue achieve hegemony, he retired gracefully and resolutely gave up his glory and wealth. He knew deeply the truth that "when the birds are all gone, the good bow will be put away; when the hares are all killed, the hounds will be cooked." In the face of wealth, he maintained a clear head and extraordinary wisdom. He took a small amount of wealth, changed his name and identity, and engaged in business operations. In the process of doing business, he adhered to the principles of honesty and kindness. He didn't seek huge profits or cheat customers. Eventually, he became a wealthy business tycoon and was respected as the "Business Sage" in later generations. His experience fully demonstrates that only those who are not debauch by wealth can control wealth and achieve an extraordinary life in the complex and changeable secular world.

In today's era full of material desires and temptations, people often lose their way in the pursuit of wealth and fall into the mire of greed and vanity. The Taoist thought of "Never be shaken by poverty or debauch by wealth" is like the morning bell and evening drum, warning people to always hold on to their true selves and maintain self-discipline. Whether in a state of poverty or in a time of wealth and glory, one should adhere to the moral bottom line and not be influenced by external materials and temptations. Only in this way can one move forward steadily in the journey of life, harvest true happiness and success, and make one's fortune flow continuously like an inexhaustible spring, moistening one's whole life.