Poor hermit Rong Qiqi plays zither and sings at Mount Tai. Asked by Confucius why he rejoices, he names three blessings: being human, male and long-lived. He accepts poverty and death as natural, embodying Daoist contentment with simple existence.
Mencius names three supreme joys for gentlemen, excluding worldly kingship: intact family, a clear conscience with no shame before heaven and men, and nurturing talented pupils to carry forward moral truths.