SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

frugality‌

  • Mozi – Chapter 49

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    This chapter collects Mozi’s dialogues with lords and craftsmen. It advocates tailored state policies, condemns aggressive wars, stresses righteousness over profit, and argues teaching universal love outweighs manual labor’s limited gains.

  • Mozi – Chapter 47

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    Centered on “valuing righteousness”, this chapter argues righteousness surpasses life and the world. It records Mozi’s travels, rebuts superstition, stresses words must guide action, and advocates frugality and merit-based governance.

  • Mozi – Chapter 25

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    This chapter rejects lavish burials and long mourning. It argues they drain wealth, cut population and breed chaos, cites sage kings’ simple tombs, and advocates minimalist funerals to benefit both the living and deceased.

  • Mozi – Chapter 7

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    This chapter records a debate between Mozi and Cheng Fan on music. Mozi argues elaborate court music worsens governance; sage kings only kept minimal music, as grand musical indulgence wastes resources and distracts rulers from state duties.

  • Mozi – Chapter 6

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    This Mohist chapter advocates moderation in five spheres: housing, clothing, food, transport and concubines. Sage kings prioritized practical utility, while contemporary rulers’ extravagant ornamentation drains labor and wealth, triggering poverty, social unrest and population decline.

  • Mozi – Chapter 5

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    Mozi’s Chapter Five expounds seven fatal state perils. It stresses food reserves, weapons and city defenses as core national safeguards, advocates frugality in famines, and cites sage kings and tyrants to prove adequate preparation determines a regime’s survival.

  • Why did Yan Ying reject Confucius?

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    This article explains why pragmatic statesman Yan Ying blocked Duke Jing of Qi’s appointment of Confucius. He criticized Confucian complex rituals, costly lavish burials, impractical scholars, and abstract theories, clashing ideal Confucian ritual governance with Qi’s frugal, down-to-earth ruling demands.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 20.14

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    This Han Feizi passage contrasts restless extravagance with calm frugality. Sages conserve spirit, follow the Dao early, and avoid misfortune.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 20.13

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    This Han Feizi passage stresses frugality of mind and senses. Overusing sight, hearing or intellect causes harm; conserving spirit preserves health and wisdom.