The Analects – Chapter 167 (7.19). Confucius’ self-revelation- the idealist’s portrait

7.19

The “Duke of She” asked Zilu about Master Kong (Confucius). Zilu did not reply.

The Master said, “Why did you not say ‘This is the character of the man: so intent upon enlightening the eager that he forgets his hunger, and so happy in doing so, that he forgets the bitterness of his lot and does not realize that old age is at hand.’ That is what he is.”

葉公問孔子於子路，子路不對。子曰：「女奚不曰，其為人也，發憤忘食，樂以忘憂，不知老之將至云爾。」

Notes

The Duke of She asked Zilu about Confucius, but Zilu did not reply. Confucius said, “Why did you not simply say: ‘He is a man who forgets to eat when immersed in study, finds joy that washes away sorrows, and remains unaware of old age approaching’?”

The Duke of She, Shen Zhuliang, was the governor of Ye in the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period. Known for his administrative achievements and intellectual curiosity, he was fascinated by Confucius – this itinerant “sage” traveling between states.

When confronted with the question about his teacher’s character, Zilu (a straightforward disciple) chose silence out of deep reverence rather than presumption. This “non-reply” was not rudeness to the inquirer but profound respect for his teacher.

Learning of this, Confucius proactively provided his own portrait – not just resolving Zilu’s dilemma but revealing the core of his existential state through self-revelation: not external achievements but inner spiritual pursuit and life passion. This is essentially an idealist’s self-confession: wholehearted devotion to pursuing the Way, transcending material lacks through struggle, and overcoming temporal limitations through dedication.

In three succinct phrases, Confucius left the world an idealist’s spiritual portrait: one who forgets material deprivation in pursuit, transcends worldly sorrows through meaning, and disregards time’s passage through dedication.

“Eating coarse grain, drinking water, and resting with one’s bent arm as a pillow – joy is still to be found in these. Wealth and honor obtained through unrighteous means are to me no more than floating clouds.”(Analects 7.16)

Taking moral principles as one’s source of joy and regarding ill-gotten wealth and honor as fleeting clouds is perfectly consistent with the value orientation of “finding delight so great as to forget worries”.