TERMBASES
This term means the
happiness and contentment of Confucius(551-479 BC) and Yan Hui(a disciple of Confucius, 521-481 BC). The happiness of Confucius
and Yan Hui is a mental outlook admired and advocated by Confucian scholars, especially
by Song and Ming Neo-Confucianists. Most people do not want to put up with poverty,
but poor material conditions could not keep Confucius and Yan Hui from maintaining a happy state of mind. The expression “Happiness of Confucius and Yan Hui” embodies
an inner joy and happiness obtained from the transcending of material desires
and from the profound understanding and quest for principles of heaven and ethical
principles.
The term means to lessen desires for external things. Humans are prone to pursue excessive desire, which can be harmful to themselves, cause problems with others and lead to social disorder. This is why both Confucian and Taoist scholars called for restraining desires. In Confucian thinking, self-moral cultivation is needed to restrain desires, which, in turn, provides an important way to foster one’s virtue. For Taoism, restraining desires can help people return to “a natural state.”
This term was first used to mean to lead a quiet, peaceful life with few worldly desires. Daoism advocates blandness, believing that lack of flavor is the best possible flavor. It was highly influential in the creation of the aesthetic concept of blandness and quiet living. Beginning in the Wei and Jin dynasties, the term was used in aesthetics, referring to a peaceful and mild artistic beauty and style, as opposed to rich, loud and splendid beauty. The term does not mean insipid with no taste at all； what it refers to is a purified, refined, quiet and ethereal taste, a mild yet profound tone and flavor.
When leading a poor life, one should still stick to moral principles. Confucius (551-479 BC) and Confucian scholars believe that it is not for fame and wealth that one should observe moral principles. Rather, such observance comes from one’s heart and represents his lifetime pursuit. So those who are guided by high moral standards will never seek wealth and fame at the expense of justice, and they can live up to such standards even when they live in poverty.
Even under pressure, a man of virtue maintains his moral values. Junzi or man of virtue originally referred to a ruler or a man of the aristocracy. Later, it came to mean any educated, upright person. Guqiong (固穷) means to adhere to one’s ideals and values even in times of difficulties and frustrations. The ancients believed that frustrated situations were ordeals for a man of virtue, in which he would not falter in his quest or touch the bottom line. This term summarizes the values of leadership, responsibility and integrity the political and cultural elites should retain in the face of difficulties and hardships.
This saying, with the attitude to fame and fortune at its core, refers to a way in which people in ancient China sought to practice self-cultivation. People should not be greedy for fame and fortune and be burdened by such greed. Instead they ought to cherish noble ideals and work heart and soul to achieve them.
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