The Wisdom of Dusk: Reflections on Life, Wealth, and Letting Go

 

Not long after several luxury properties in Hong Kong were sold at a staggering 70% discount, news spread that Li Ka-shing, the city’s richest man, was gravely ill. Time was slipping away, and from his deathbed, he penned "Dusk Folk Song," a reflection on the regrets of a life spent chasing what was ultimately fleeting. 

In the end, death is the great equalizer. It does not distinguish between the wealthy and the poor. Li Ka-shing, once a firm believer in longevity medicine, spent millions on treatments in hopes of extending his time—yet no wealth could buy him a single extra day. 

At 92, after decades of relentless hard work, he finally stepped away from the empire he built, retiring in 2018. It was only then that he began to truly enjoy life. But time, once lost, could never be regained. And so, with wisdom distilled from the years behind him, he left behind these words:  

**"The fate of life is nothingness. No matter how much we strive, we return to zero in the end. So why not live with a natural heart?** 

**Do not chase wealth to the end of your days, for what comes is unclear, and what leaves is confusing. Was it ever truly yours, before life or after death? Be aware—do not be deceived.** 

 

**Contentment is the root of happiness. Embrace old age with joy.**  

 

**Do not be too elated in wealth, nor too sorrowful in poverty. Life should be lived with ease, flowing freely like the wind.** 

 

**Never force, never fight, for life is but a fleeting dream, a mist that dissipates with the morning sun.** 

 

**The sky is empty, the earth is empty—human life is but a passing shadow. 

The sun rises, the moon sets, rivers forever flow eastward. 

The fields are empty, the houses vacant—their owners ever-changing. 

Love and affection, gold and silver, name and fame—all turn to dust when the final curtain falls.**  

**Victories and defeats are but illusions, positions and power transient. No one sits on a throne for eternity. Rich or poor, all must accept life as it comes.**  

**Spring fades, summer arrives, autumn turns to winter—the tide of time never ceases. See the world with clarity. Every family has its burdens; do not let them weigh on your heart.** 

 

**Raising children is a duty, helping them is a joy. Yet their destinies are their own—do not let them be trapped by expectations. 

In old age, protect your health, cherish happiness.** 

 

**Morning leads west, evening moves east—people labor like bees gathering honey. Yet, for whom is the sweetness? Life is filled with hardship, much of it in vain. 

Look beyond, think deeply, grow old with peace in your heart.**  

From a distance, the hospital seems like heaven, saving lives. Up close, it is a bank, collecting wealth. Once inside, it feels like a prison—better to safeguard health before it is too late.  

**Health is an invisible treasure. Guarding it is like saving gold in a vault. 

Illness is like a debt—when serious, it can drain all riches. 

Do not take it lightly, for regret always comes too late.** 

 

**Stand tall, take charge of your own well-being. Do not lie in sickness, deceived by empty promises. 

If you neglect your health, you will pay dearly. 

Love your family by first loving yourself. 

Caring for yourself is the wisest choice.** 

 

**Life is fleeting—do not let money be your only concern.**  

A mountain of gold cannot buy health. Life and death are written by fate, and prosperity rests in the hands of the heavens. Everything has its time—forcing what is not meant to be only leads to sorrow. 

 

**Do not take life too seriously.**  

Achievements are but passing clouds, glory and wealth mere banquets that vanish with the dawn. In the blink of an eye, black hair turns white, and all that once mattered becomes smoke in the wind. Why worry? Why burden your soul with endless concerns?  

**And so, here are ten simple truths to a happy life:** 

Open your eyes. 

Open your heart. 

Let go. 

Let go. 

Give in. 

Be tolerant. 

Seek understanding. 

Surrender. 

Be willing. 

Be kind. 

 

These words, left behind by Li Ka-shing, carry the weight of a lifetime. They are a gift, a reminder, a lesson. Let us grasp their meaning now, before time slips away.

Reading these words from Li Ka-shing fills me with a deep sense of contemplation. His journey—from relentless ambition to quiet realization—mirrors the truth that so many of us come to understand only when time is no longer on our side. Wealth, power, achievements—all of it fades, yet we often spend our lives chasing them, forgetting to embrace the simple joys of the present.

His message is a powerful reminder that contentment is not found in riches but in a peaceful heart. The idea that life ultimately returns to nothing may seem somber, yet it carries a liberating truth: if everything is fleeting, then why hold on so tightly to worries, grudges, or the endless pursuit of more?