The Unwavering Joy of Yan Hui: Confucius’ Timeless Wisdom
6-11 The Tzu said, “The virtuous Hui also, a fandan(1) of food, a ladle of drink, in the ugly alley(2), people can’t bear to worry, but Hui also doesn’t change his joy(3). The virtuous Hui also.”
[Commentary
(1)箪：音dān，an ancient bamboo utensil for serving food.
(2) Lane: here refers to Yan Hui’s residence.
(3) Le: enjoy learning.
[Translation
Confucius said, “How noble is the quality of Yan Hui! He lived in a humble hut with a little rice and a spoonful of water. No one else could bear this kind of poverty and hardship, but Yan Hui did not change his joy of learning. How noble is the quality of Yan Hui!”
[Commentary
In this chapter, Confucius once again praised Yan Hui and spoke highly of him. Here, Yan Hui “did not change his joy”, which is the spirit of not being able to move away from poverty and lowliness, contains a universal truth, that is, people always need to have a little bit of spirit, in order to pursue their own ideals, even if the life of the poor and needy are still enjoying themselves.
Confucius once remarked on the exemplary character of Yan Hui, his devoted disciple. He said, “Yan Hui’s virtues are truly admirable. With just a simple meal and a cup of water, living in a modest alley, while others would find such poverty unbearable, Yan Hui remained unchanged in his joy for learning. Yan Hui’s virtues are truly admirable.”
This statement reflects Confucius’ high regard for Yan Hui’s steadfast dedication to learning and his unshakable contentment despite his modest means. Yan Hui’s life was characterized by simplicity, but he found joy and fulfillment in his pursuit of knowledge. To Confucius, Yan Hui’s ability to remain joyful and committed in the face of poverty exemplifies a profound and universally relevant principle: the importance of maintaining one’s spirit and passion, regardless of life’s hardships.
Confucius’ praise highlights a key moral lesson. It shows that true contentment and happiness come not from material wealth or comfort, but from within. Yan Hui’s unwavering dedication to learning, despite his financial constraints, teaches us that personal satisfaction and joy are derived from pursuing one’s ideals and remaining steadfast in one’s values.
Confucius used Yan Hui’s example to illustrate a deeper truth about human resilience and the pursuit of personal growth. Even when faced with significant challenges, one’s inner joy and commitment to one’s goals should remain constant. This lesson remains relevant across cultures and eras, reminding us of the power of inner strength and the value of a passionate, undeterred pursuit of our goals.