This entry explains the Chinese idiom 爱憎分明(ài zēng fēn míng), evolved from Book of the Later Han. It means clear‑cut moral stances, noting both its praiseworthy virtue and risk of rigid black‑and‑white thinking plus English counterparts.
Zi Zhang asked about clarity (or discernment). The Master said, “If insidious slander—like water slowly soaking in—and urgent, emotionally charged accusations—like a wound to the skin—cannot take hold with you, you may be called ming. If such slander and complaints find no traction in you, you may also be called farsighted.”
Confucius said, “The wise are not perplexed; the humane are not anxious; the courageous are not afraid.”
If a man’s thoughts are bright and clear, then even if he is in a dark place his heart will be as shiny as daylight.
If you muse on the flavor of food after you have eaten your fill, the feeling of relishing different flavors vanishes.