SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

simple life

  • 鸡犬相闻 (jī quǎn xiāng wén)

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    This entry explains idiom “Ji quan xiang wen” from Dao De Jing. It originally depicts contented small communities, yet its modern meaning describes physical proximity alongside social isolation and lack of interaction.

  • Biography of the Five-Willow Gentleman

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    The gentleman – no one knows where he came from, nor his family name or given name. Beside his house there are five willow trees, so he takes that as his style. He is quiet, tranquil, and sparing of speech; he does not covet fame or profit. He loves to read, but does not…

  • Return to the Garden and Fields – No. 3

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    — by Tao Yuanming (Jin Dynasty) I plant beans beneath the southern hill,But weeds grow thick and bean sprouts are sparse.I rise at dawn to clear the tangled waste,And carry my hoe home under the moon.The path is narrow, grasses and trees overgrow;The evening dew wets my clothes.I do not mind the wetting of…

  • Ān Bù Dāng Chē (安步当车)

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    Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 安步当车Pinyin: ān bù dāng chē Literal Meaning: Take leisurely slow walks as if riding a carriage. Figurative Meaning: Lead a simple, tranquil life without craving luxurious transportation or material comforts; walk unhurriedly and contentedly instead of taking a vehicle. It also embodies a calm, peaceful mindset that finds satisfaction in plain living.…