Ji Kangzi asked, “Which of your disciples is most eager to learn?” Confucius replied, “There was Yan Hui, who was truly eager to learn – but unfortunately, he died young! Now there is no one like him.”
Note
This exchange expresses not only Confucius’s profound grief over Yan Hui’s early death but also reveals the Confucian understanding of what it truly means to be “eager to learn”. For Confucius, hao xue is far more than diligent reading or extensive memorization; it is a lifelong commitment to moral self-cultivation, constant introspection, and the active practice of benevolence (humaneness). Yan Hui exemplified this ideal – he “did not transfer anger and did not repeat mistakes” (Analects 6.3) – showing how learning manifests in daily conduct, humility in poverty, and unwavering joy in the Way.
By stating “now there is no one like him,” Confucius does not dismiss his other disciples’ efforts but underscores that no one else embodied learning as an integrated, wholehearted pursuit of the Dao with such purity and consistency. This remark simultaneously honors Yan Hui’s virtue and subtly critiques the contemporary trend among scholars toward opportunism and superficiality.
Moreover, by giving this answer to Ji Kangzi – a powerful minister known for political pragmatism – Confucius demonstrates his refusal to flatter authority and his steadfast adherence to educational ideals: true scholars are unrelated to worldly success or utility; true learning is about perfecting one’s character and transmitting the Way.
Further Reading
Duke Ai asked, “Which of your disciples is most eager to learn?” Confucius replied, “There was Yan Hui… He did not transfer anger, nor repeat mistakes… Now there is no one; I have heard of no one else truly eager to learn.” Analects 6.3 (Yong Ye)
Nearly identical response to a different ruler – shows consistency in Confucius’s view that Yan Hui uniquely embodied hao xue as moral transformation.
The Master said, “How virtuous Hui is! With a single bamboo bowl of rice, a gourd dipper of water, living in a shabby alley – others could not bear such hardship, yet Hui never lost his joy. How virtuous Hui is!” Analects 6.11 (Yong Ye)
Illustrates Yan Hui’s “joy in the Way” despite poverty – concrete evidence of his hao xue as inner spiritual fulfillment, not external achievement.
The Master said, “A noble person seeks neither fullness in food nor comfort in lodging; he is prompt in action, cautious in speech, and draws near to the virtuous to correct himself – this may be called ‘eager to learn.’” Analects 1.14 (Xue Er)
Defines learning as ethical discipline and pursuit of the Way – exactly the qualities Yan Hui displayed.
季康子問：「弟子孰為好學？」孔子對曰：「有顏回者好學，不幸短命死矣！今也則亡。」
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