Confucius: A Life of Passion and Joy Beyond Age
7·19 Ye Gong (1) asked Confucius about Zilu, but Zilu did not answer. The Master said, “Why don’t you say that he is a man who, when he is angry, forgets to eat, and when he is happy, forgets his worries, and does not know that old age is approaching?” (2)
[Notes]
(1) Ye Gong: Ye, pronounced shè. Ye Gong was surnamed Shen and named Zhu Liang. He was a minister of the state of Chu and was given the fief of Ye (now Ye County, Henan Province).
(2) Yun er: Yun, pronoun, meaning “this.” Er means “and,” “or,” “only,” “that’s all.”
[Translation]
Ye Gong asked Zilu what kind of person Confucius was, but Zilu did not answer. Confucius (to Zilu) said, “Why don’t you say that he is a person who is so diligent that he forgets to eat, so happy that he forgets all his worries, and so unaware of his own old age that he doesn’t even know it?”
Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius describes his own state of mind, “forgetting to eat out of his diligence, forgetting his worries out of his happiness,” and not even realizing that he was getting old. Confucius experienced endless joy from reading and learning and various activities. He was a typical realist and optimist. He was not bothered by the trivial things around him, and showed a positive and optimistic spirit.
When Ye Gong asked Zi Lu about Confucius, Zi Lu didn’t provide an answer. Confucius himself remarked, “Why didn’t you say so? This is a man who is so driven that he forgets to eat, so joyful that he forgets his worries, and so absorbed in his work that he doesn’t even notice the onset of old age.”
In this passage, Confucius reflects on his own attitude towards life. He describes a state of such deep engagement and satisfaction in his studies and activities that he loses track of basic needs and concerns, including the passage of time. His description reveals a man whose life is marked by an intense passion for learning and a profound sense of joy. This approach demonstrates a blend of realism and optimism, where the small troubles of daily life hold no sway over his larger purpose.
Confucius’s philosophy is not just about academic pursuit; it is about embracing life fully, with enthusiasm and joy. His ability to immerse himself so deeply in his endeavors that he becomes oblivious to age and trivial worries underscores his commitment to a meaningful life. This perspective can inspire us to find joy in our own passions, allowing us to live more fully and with greater purpose.
In essence, Confucius exemplifies how a life of intense focus and joy can transcend the ordinary concerns of age and time, reminding us of the power of passion and contentment in shaping our lives.