Confucius on True Strength: Why Desires Undermine Character
5-11 The Tzu said, “I have not seen anyone who is rigid.” Or he said, “I have not seen a man who is strong.” Or he said, “I have not seen a man who is strong.” Tzu said, “How can the post also want, how can it be just?”
[Notes
(1) Shen枨:枨,音chéng。姓申名枨,字周，孔子的学生。
[Translation
Confucius said, “I have never seen a strong man.” Someone replied, “A man of the door post is a strong man.” Confucius said, “This man has too many desires, how can he be strong?”
[Commentary
Confucius always believed that if a person has too many desires, he will violate the Zhou Rites. From this chapter, it is clear that not only can a person not be righteous if he has too many desires, but he cannot even be strong. Confucius did not oppose people’s desires in general, but if one wants to be a gentleman with high ideals, one must give up all kinds of desires and devote oneself to the Way.
In the realm of Confucian philosophy, the concept of true strength is deeply intertwined with one’s control over personal desires. A poignant illustration of this can be found in an interaction between Confucius and his disciples.
Confucius once remarked, “I have yet to meet a truly strong person.” In response, someone suggested, “Shen Cheng is a person of great strength.” To this, Confucius replied, “How can Shen Cheng be considered strong when he is driven by so many desires?”
This dialogue offers insight into Confucius’ view of strength and virtue. Confucius believed that true strength is not merely a matter of physical prowess or outward bravado. Instead, it is closely related to one’s inner moral fortitude and the ability to govern one’s desires.
Shen Cheng, a student of Confucius, was known for his ambition and personal desires. Confucius argued that someone with such unchecked desires could not embody true strength. To Confucius, a person’s desires, if not moderated, lead them away from the principles of righteousness and propriety.
In Confucian thought, the excessive pursuit of personal desires is seen as a major obstacle to achieving virtue. A person with numerous desires may find it difficult to adhere to the rigorous standards of moral behavior and ethical conduct outlined in Confucian teachings. Such desires can lead to actions that conflict with the principles of righteousness and propriety, which are essential for becoming a truly virtuous person.
Confucius did not entirely reject human desires; rather, he believed that to cultivate a noble character, one must strive to minimize personal desires and focus on following the path of virtue. For Confucius, the essence of true strength lies in self-discipline and the ability to prioritize ethical principles over personal gratification.
In essence, Confucius’ philosophy teaches that the path to true strength involves mastering one’s desires and adhering to moral principles. By focusing on righteousness and propriety, one can achieve a form of strength that is both morally and ethically superior.