There is more than one way to look at this. One way it may be saying we should not speak, unless our words will help there be more silence by telling others to stay quiet. Another way to look at it is that we should not speak unless our words are better than silence. We should think without duality and therefore both of these persectives are true.
Chop wood, carry water.
At one time these tasks were very common, daily tasks that many performed. In modern times this saying be interpreted as, “Drive to work, mow the lawn”. What this expression is telling us is to perform our daily tasks and be mindful while doing them. That is the secret to enlightenment. To do each task we do with the fascination and wonderment of a beginner.
Your Treasure House is in Yourself
“Your Treasure House is in yourself, it contains all you need.” This is a message to all of us which simply states that everything we need for enlightenment is within ourselves. Everything we need to be awakened we can find by looking within, not without.
Better to Struggle with Sick Jackass
This quote is a reminder that it is often best to flow with the easiest path, to fix our boat as it travels downstream, rather than swim upstream with no boat. A jackass is a beast of burden, and will carry our weight for us. It can carry much more weight than us, thus performing more work than us. It is easier to tend to this jackass and even fight with a sick one, than to carry the burden ourselves.
You Will Be Punished
You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.