The Analects – Chapter 101 (5.11). The source of true fortitude

5.11

The Master said, “I have never yet seen a man who was truly steadfast.”

Someone answered saying,”Shen Cheng.” The Master said, “Cheng! He is at the mercy of his desires. How can he be called steadfast?”

子曰：「吾未見剛者。」或對曰：「申棖。」子曰：「棖也慾，焉得剛？」

Notes

This dialogue from the Analects dissects the essence of true fortitude — it is not mere external rigidity, but inner strength born of desirelessness.

Authentic fortitude requires mastery over one’s desires. Yet humans are easily enslaved by cravings (e.g., greed for wealth or fame), making genuine fortitude exceedingly rare.

Confucius’ view aligns with that of Laozi. In the Tao Te Ching, Laozi stated:

“Constantly keep the people free from excessive knowledge and desires, so that the cunning dare not act.”

This reflects the idea of achieving social harmony and stability through desire control. It indirectly reveals how “desirelessness” helps people follow natural laws, freeing them from greed and conflict, thereby attaining inner peace and strength.

“No disaster greater than discontent; no fault greater than covetousness. Thus, the contentment of knowing contentment is eternal contentment.”

Laozi held that the greatest calamity is insatiability, and the gravest fault is endless craving. True, lasting satisfaction comes only from knowing contentment. This underscores how “desirelessness” (or minimal desire) prevents self-inflicted harm from greed, emphasizing the vital role of contentment and desire restraint in personal well-being and moral cultivation — resonating deeply with Confucius’ concept of “fortitude through desirelessness”.