Others have riches; I have a spirit of benevolence. Others have high rank; I have a sense of righteousness.
A man of virtue should avoid the fetters of high rank and substantial emolument. Since man can prevail over Nature, with a firm will and devotion, a man of virtue can certainly build up his strength and refuse to be moulded by the forces that created the Universe.
彼富我仁，彼爵我义，君子固不为君相所牢笼；人定胜天，志一动气，君子亦不受造化之陶铸。
Notes
Transcending material power through unyielding virtue
Society often measures worth by wealth and rank, yet the noble person anchors value in benevolence and righteousness. They prioritize moral integrity over utility — refusing to flatter the rich or yield to the powerful, maintaining independence through ethical action.
Defying fate through human agency
Against fatalistic beliefs (“wealth and honor lie with Heaven”), Cai Gen Tan(Tending the roots of wisdom) asserts human mastery. Facing adversity (injustice, limitations), the noble person trusts in willpower and action to reshape destiny, never passive acceptance.
Mechanism of Mastery
- “Will”: The core spirit, focusing resolve.
- “Vitality”: The driving force of action.
Steadfast will consolidates inner strength, preventing despair in hardship or complacency in success. The noble rejects being fate’s passive product — choosing self-determination over lamenting misfortune.
The Noble’s dual emancipation: Unbowed by Power, Unbound by Fate
These lines define the noble spirit:
- Externally: Unenslaved by wealth or power (“unshackled by rulers”);
- Internally: Unconstrained by fate or circumstance (“not molded by the Creator”).
This independence is not defiance but self-sufficiency — rooted in virtue and self-direction — powered by will and vitality. Amid chaos, they remain unshakably themselves.
Leave a Reply