Gao Hui [Biographies of Noble Scholars]

Gao Hui, whose courtesy name was Boda, was a native of Jingzhao. In his youth, he devoted himself to the study of the Laozi (Dao De Jing). He was tranquil and unselfish, never engaging in worldly affairs. He was a close friend of Liang Hong, and the two lived in seclusion together in the mountains of Huayin. Later, when Liang Hong traveled eastward, he missed Gao Hui deeply and composed a poem: “The birds sing melodiously, anticipating a reunion with friends; thinking of Master Gao, my heart is filled with longing; yearning for Hui, when shall we gather here once more?” Yet, after this, the two never saw each other again. Gao Hui maintained his noble and aloof demeanor, hiding his brilliance from the world, and never took up public office for the rest of his life.

Note

Daoist hermit Gao Hui studied Dao De Jing and secluded himself with friend Liang Hong in Huayin Mountains. After Liang left east, he wrote a poem longing for Gao. Gao concealed his talents and never held official posts all his life.

Gao Hui:

A Daoist hermit of the Eastern Han dynasty. His lifelong dedication to theLaozi and his ultimate choice to never enter government service perfectly encapsulate the Daoist ideal of wuwei (non-action) and spiritual detachment from the corrupting political sphere.

Liang Hong:

A legendary noble recluse of the Eastern Han dynasty (famous for the idiom “raising the tray to the eyebrows” with his wife Meng Guang). Liang Hong’s poem for Gao Hui highlights the deep, purely spiritual bond between kindred spirits in seclusion, where friendship transcends the need for constant physical proximity.

Studying the Laozi:

During the Han dynasty, orthodox education was dominated by Confucian classics aimed at entering the civil service. Choosing to study the Laozi was a deliberate ideological statement, signaling a commitment to Daoist philosophy, inner peace, and a rejection of worldly ambition.

Hiding One’s Brilliance:

This is a classic Daoist cultural phenomenon. Rather than seeking fame or using one’s talents for political gain, true sages deliberately concealed their abilities. “Hiding one’s brilliance” was seen as a way to protect one’s spiritual purity and avoid the dangers of political entanglement.

The Bird’s Song:

This alludes to a famous line from the Book of Songs (Shijing): “The birds sing ying-ying, seeking their friends.” Liang Hong’s use of this imagery elevates their friendship to a natural, harmonious state, contrasting the pure bond of hermits with the transactional relationships of the imperial court.

高恢字伯达，京兆人也。少治老子经，恬虚不营世务，与梁鸿善，隐於华阴山中。及鸿东游，思恢，作诗曰：“鸟嘤嘤兮友之期，念高子兮仆怀思，想念恢兮爰集兹。”二人遂不复相见。恢亦高抗匿耀，终身不仕焉。