Chen Zhongzi was a native of the state of Qi. His elder brother, Dai, served as a minister in Qi, enjoying a generous salary of ten thousand zhong. Chen Zhongzi considered this salary to be unrighteous, so he took his wife and moved to the state of Chu, settling in Yuling and calling himself Zhongzi of Yuling.
He lived in poverty but never begged improperly, and he refused to eat any food obtained unrighteously. During a year of famine, he went without grain for three days and had to crawl to eat worm-bitten plums from a tree by a well; it took three swallows before he could regain his sight and see his own body. He wove sandals himself, and his wife spun hemp to exchange for food and clothing.
The King of Chu, having heard of his worthiness, wished to appoint him as the prime minister. He dispatched an envoy bearing a hundredyi of gold to Yuling to recruit Zhongzi. Zhongzi went inside and said to his wife, “The King of Chu wants to make me the prime minister. If I become prime minister today, tomorrow I shall travel with a retinue of chariots and horses, and a banquet stretching a zhang (ten feet) will be laid out before me. Would you be pleased with this?” His wife replied, “Master, with a zither on your left and books on your right, you already find joy in your current life. Even with a retinue of chariots and horses, the space you need for comfort is merely enough to hold your knees; even with a banquet stretching a zhang before you, the only flavor you truly enjoy is a single piece of meat. Now, for the mere comfort of a knee’s space and the taste of one piece of meat, you would take upon yourself the anxieties of the entire state of Chu. In these chaotic times, dangers abound; I fear you would not even be able to preserve your own life!”
Thereupon, Zhongzi went out and politely declined the envoy. He and his wife then fled together and made a living by watering gardens for others.
Note
Chen Zhongzi shunned his brother’s ill-gotten salary and endured extreme poverty. When Chu’s king offered him premiership, his wife warned of political perils. The couple declined the post and fled to earn a living watering gardens.
Chen Zhongzi / Zhongzi of Yuling (陈仲子 / 於陵仲子):
A legendary figure in ancient China, often associated with extreme asceticism and uncompromising moral purity. He is famous for his radical rejection of his family’s wealth and his absolute refusal to compromise his principles for political power or material comfort.
Mencius had also recorded the story of Chen Zhongzi in his book. Mencius’ evaluation of Chen Zhongzi is complex – on the one hand, he acknowledges Chen Zhongzi’s exceptional standing among the scholars of Qi; on the other hand, he fundamentally denies his reputation as a “man of integrity,” considering his conduct both impractical and unworthy of emulation.
Worm-Bitten Plums:
This extreme detail of eating worm-bitten fruit to avoid taking unrighteously obtained food highlights Chen Zhongzi’s fanatical adherence to moral purity. It serves as a powerful literary symbol of the hermit’s willingness to endure physical suffering rather than compromise his spiritual and ethical boundaries.
Zither and Books vs. Chariots and Banquets:
This contrast beautifully encapsulates the core philosophy of the noble recluse. The wife’s response perfectly articulates the Daoist/ascetic realization that human physical needs are minimal. The immense wealth and power of a prime minister offer no true additional physical pleasure, but they bring immense political danger and spiritual burden.
Watering Gardens:
After rejecting the prime ministership, Chen Zhongzi and his wife chose to water gardens. This humble agricultural labor represents the ultimate Daoist ideal of returning to nature, living a self-sufficient, unadorned life completely detached from the corrupting machinery of the state.
The Wise Wife:
Unlike many historical narratives where wives urge their husbands to seek political glory, Chen Zhongzi’s wife acts as a profound spiritual equal and advisor. Her clear-sighted rejection of political power reinforces the couple’s shared commitment to a life of moral and physical freedom.
陈仲子者，齐人也。其兄戴为齐卿，食禄万钟。仲子以为不义，将妻子适楚，居於陵，自谓於陵仲子。穷不苟求，不义之食不食。遭岁饥，乏粮三曰，乃匍匐而食井上李实之虫者，三咽而能视身。自织履，妻擘纟卢以易衣食。楚王闻其贤，欲以为相，遣使持金百镒，至於陵聘仲子。仲子入谓妻曰：“楚王欲以我为相。今曰为相，明曰结驷连骑，食方丈於前，意可乎？”妻曰：“夫子左琴右书，乐在其中矣。结驷连骑，所安不过容膝，食方丈於前，所甘不过一肉。今以容膝之安，一肉之味，而怀楚国之忧。乱世多害，恐先生不保命也！”於是出谢使者，遂相与逃去，为人灌园。
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