Han Wangxi

CONFUCIUS said, “The benevolent do not worry, the wise are not perplexed, and the brave are not afraid.” A gentleman worries about the way, not about poverty. Having a meager meal and drink and dwelling in a humble alley, ordinary people cannot bear such hardships, but a gentleman is still happy. This is because he stands on a great path and solid ground.

Mencius sighed that a gentleman has a lifelong concern, worrying whether he can devote himself fully to become a sage, rather than worrying about the poverty and prosperity of life. The sage does worry, but not about food or drink. Instead, the sage ponders: “Shun was a person and I am also a person. However, Shun is the model for the world, admired and emulated by all, leaving a good reputation for later generations. Yet, I remain an ordinary person, lacking awareness in morality. This is truly something worth worrying about! What should I do with this worry? I should act like Shun.”

As for other pains in life, for a gentleman, they do not exist. He does not do things contrary to benevolence or propriety, and even if sudden disasters occur, he just accepts them. This is what is called a gentleman does not worry. He does not worry about his own life and death, but only about his virtue not being as dignified and upright as Shun’s.

A gentleman has a lifelong concern, but not a momentary problem. Only the wise can have such sighs. Zhuangzi also said: “The sage is content with what he has and does not seek things that would bring him unrest. However, ordinary people are always dissatisfied with what they have, chasing after things that they cannot obtain.”

One often faces many changes, and when faced with hardships, one should remain calm. Mencius said, “At 40, my heart is undisturbed.” Neither wealth nor rank in life had made him agitated, and disasters could not change his benevolent nature.

Confucius once praised Yan Hui for being a gentleman without concerns, but also expressed his own concerns. He said, “I worry about not cultivating virtues, not discussing knowledge, failing to follow right principles, nor amending our faults.” Failing to cultivate the mind is a person’s lifelong concern. It may seem contradictory between “the benevolent do not worry” and “a gentleman has a lifelong concern,” but if you ask yourself what the concern is and what does not concern you, it will become clear.

At this moment, Mencius thought of the ancient sages. Yu and Ji lived in peaceful times, and Yu devoted himself wholeheartedly to treat a flood. Confucius esteemed them. Yan lived in troubled times, dwelling in a humble alley, with a meager meal and drink. Ordinary people could not bear such hardships, but Yan was still happy, and Confucius esteemed him.

Mencius said: “Yu, Ji, and Yan engaged in the same pursuit. Yu thought that the flood had people drowning, and felt as if he was the one drowning them; Ji thought that people were hungry, and felt as if he was the one causing the hunger, so he wanted to relieve the world. This is the anxiety of benevolent people! Seeing the good but feeling as if they fall short.”

A true gentleman’s compassion is boundless, akin to towering mountains and ceaseless like flowing water. The distinction between humans and animals, as well as between a gentleman and a crude, can be found in the presence of a virtuous heart.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Shenzhen Daily)