Confucius wanted to move and live among the Nine Yi (barbarian tribes in the remote east). Someone said, “That place is too crude – how can you live there?” Confucius replied, “If a noble person lives there, how can it be called crude?”
Note
This passage from the Analects reveals Confucius’s profound view on the relationship between culture and environment. To ordinary people, “crudeness” means poor material conditions, absence of ritual and music, and lack of civilization. But Confucius argues that true refinement lies not in external surroundings but in human virtue. Wherever a junzi (noble person or gentlemen) resides, his moral character and commitment to ritual and education can transform local customs and elevate the community. Thus, whether a place is “crude” depends not on its geography or wealth, but on whether it is infused with humane values. This reflects the Confucian confidence that moral individuals can “civilize through the Way”, and highlights the noble person’s power to embody and radiate culture regardless of circumstance. It also subtly critiques the so-called “civilized” Central States: if they lack true gentlemen, they are spiritually “crude” despite their outward sophistication.
Further Reading
The Master said, “Do not worry about having no position; worry about what qualifies you for one. Do not worry that no one knows you; seek to be worth knowing.” Analects 4.14 (Li Ren)
Both emphasize inner worth over external circumstances – true value comes from self-cultivation, not status or location.
子欲居九夷。或曰：「陋，如之何！」子曰：「君子居之，何陋之有？」
Leave a Reply