"Preserving natural principles and extinguishing human desires" is one of the important viewpoints of Zhu Neo-Confucianism, and human desires are the three poisons of Buddhism. When later generations judge Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties out of context, they often say that "preserving justice and destroying human desires" imprisons human freedom. The "human desire" here refers to the desires beyond people's basic needs, such as lust, lust and greed. These desires should be abolished! In fact, Neo-Confucianism believes that people's basic needs and desires are what people usually understand as "human desire" and "justice"-the human desire here is justice. In layman's terms, people's desires should be measured!

In addition, Wang Yangming, the great sage of Wang, also proposed to his disciples that "justice should be preserved, except human desires". In fact, the thoughts of saints are all in the same strain, and the purpose is the same, but Wang Yangming realized it through "to conscience".

The origin of words

It is one of the important viewpoints of Zhu's Neo-Confucianism to "preserve justice and destroy human desires", but this famous saying was not created by Zhu.

For a long time, it has been circulated as Zhu's invention to "preserve justice and destroy human desires".

In fact, this concept has already appeared in the Book of Rites, which says: "Those who make things will destroy the laws of heaven and the desires of the poor. Therefore, there is a rebellious and treacherous heart, and there is fornication. " The so-called "those who destroy justice and want poverty" here refers to those who do whatever they want without justice.

Cheng said: "People are in danger because of their selfish desires. The heart is natural, so it is subtle. If you want to destroy selfish desires, you will be clear. " The so-called "eliminating selfish desires and managing tomorrow" here means "preserving justice and eliminating human desires".

Later, Zhu said: "Confucius said' self-denial and self-respect', the doctrine of the mean said' to be neutral',' to respect morality',' to ask about learning by Tao', the university said' to be wise', and the book said' people are afraid of danger, the Tao is subtle, and the essence is unique, let it go'. Sages have a thousand words.