So what is there to gain and what is there to lose

Living beings are like dreams;
they have no essence (like the core of a banana tree).
So what is there to gain and what is there to lose?
Who is there to respect and who is there to disrespect?
What is there to like and what is to dislike?
On a deeper level, who is it that craves, and what is craved?
Those inclined towards wisdom please understand
everything to be like space.
[Shantideva v. 150 – 154]