Behind closed doors, I read classics and histories;
Going out, I sought connections.
With my brush, I dashed off compositions,
And observing the times, had many a criticism.
I cast a cold eye on common men,
And with sophistries tripped up wise men of the age.
Riches and position seemed scarcely worth mention;
My true desire is to leave a name through time.
Poetry of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) Ma Chi-yuen
(Ma Zhi-yuan, 1260-1334)
Autumn Ni Tsan (Ni Can, 1301-1374)
Expressing What Is in My Heart (Fragment)

Time present
and
time past
Are both
perhaps
present in
time future,
And
time future contained
in time past.

(T.S. Eliot)