宁化飞灰，不作浮尘。
宁投熊熊烈火，光尽而灭；
不伴寂寂朽木，默然同腐。
宁为耀目流星，迸发万丈光芒；
不羡永恒星体，悠悠沉睡终古。
I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.