4.1
The Master said, “It is benevolence that gives to a neighbourhood its beauty. One who is free to choose, yet does not prefer to dwell among the benevolence — how can he be accorded the name of wise?”
子曰：「里仁為美。擇不處仁，焉得知？」
Notes
This passage from the Analects reveals Confucius’ profound discourse on the relationship between “benevolence/humaneness” and one’s environment, choices, and wisdom. It articulates the fundamental premise of Confucian self-cultivation: one should dwell in benevolence, actively choose to live among the humane, and walk the path of virtue.
Man is a product of the environment, and more importantly, a chooser of the environment – only by choosing to dwell in a neighborhood where benevolence prevails can one cultivate benevolence and achieve moral maturity. Mencius’ Mother Moving Three Times is a vivid life-based illustration of the philosophy that “dwelling in a place of benevolence is ideal”. Every move she made was a faithful practice of this philosophy, and the logic underlying both is perfectly consistent.
In the late Spring and Autumn period, as rituals collapsed and minds grew restless, many chased profit and power. Confucius advocated “dwelling in benevolence”, urging people:
- Not to drift with the current;
- To proactively choose a virtuous environment;
- To associate with the morally noble and shun the corrupt;
- To make “benevolence” the norm of daily life.
Confucius emphasized that in choosing one’s dwelling, companions, and way of life, “benevolence” must be the standard. To make “benevolence” one’s true home is the highest form of living. Here, “dwelling” transcends physical space –it also signifies spiritual and moral belonging.
By linking “choice” directly to “wisdom,” Confucius reveals that moral discernment is itself the essence of wisdom.
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