Confucius’s Reflection on Fate and Illness: A Lesson in Acceptance

6-10 Berniu (1) has a disease, the son asked, from the lattice (2) to hold his hand, said: “death of (3), life is carried out (4), the man also has a disease also! The people also have the disease also!”

[Notes

(1) Bo Niu: Ran name plow, the word Bo Niu, Lu people, Confucius’s students. Confucius thought his “virtue” was better.

(2) Lattice: yǒu, window.

(3) Lost Husband: one is interpreted as the loss of husband, the other is interpreted as death.

(4) Fu: fú, a tone of voice equivalent to “吧”.

Translation

When Bo Niu was sick, Confucius went to visit him, and holding his hand from the window, he said, “It is destiny that this man should be lost! Such a man could have gotten such a disease, ah, such a man could have gotten such a disease, ah!”

In ancient China, Confucius, the revered philosopher and educator, held profound insights into various aspects of life, including the nature of illness and fate. A poignant example of his wisdom can be found in a brief but telling episode involving one of his disciples, Bo Niu.

Bo Niu, whose real name was Ran Geng, was a student of Confucius from the state of Lu. Known for his virtuous character, Bo Niu had earned Confucius’s respect and affection. However, as fate would have it, he fell seriously ill.

Confucius, deeply moved by his disciple’s condition, went to visit him. In a display of deep empathy and philosophical reflection, Confucius reached through the window to hold Bo Niu’s hand. His words, laden with both compassion and resignation, were: “The loss of this person is perhaps fated. How could such a person as he suffer such an illness! How could such a person as he suffer such an illness!”

This moment reflects several key elements of Confucian thought:

Acceptance of Fate: Confucius’s reaction highlights a fundamental aspect of his philosophy—accepting the inevitability of life’s trials. Despite Bo Niu’s exemplary character, illness was portrayed as an unavoidable part of human existence. Confucius recognized that no one, regardless of their virtues, is immune to suffering.

Empathy and Compassion: By holding Bo Niu’s hand and expressing his thoughts, Confucius demonstrated a profound sense of empathy. His gesture and words reveal a deep emotional connection and understanding, showing that compassion is crucial in the face of adversity.

Philosophical Reflection: Confucius’s reflection on the situation encourages a broader contemplation of life’s hardships. He prompts us to consider the nature of human suffering and our responses to it, inviting us to reflect on how we cope with and understand these experiences.

This brief encounter between Confucius and Bo Niu offers a window into the philosophical and emotional landscape of Confucian thought. It teaches us that while we may strive to live virtuous lives, we must also come to terms with the unpredictable nature of fate and embrace the suffering that comes our way with grace and acceptance.

Through his actions and words, Confucius not only cared for his disciple but also imparted a timeless lesson on how to approach the inevitable challenges of life. His wisdom continues to resonate, reminding us that even in the face of illness and hardship, there is a path to understanding and acceptance.