A gentleman loves money and gets it wisely!

The Analects of Confucius

Original text

Confucius said: "Wealth and honor are what people want. If they do not follow the way to get them, they will not live in poverty. Being humble is what people hate. If you don't follow the way to get it, don't get rid of it. Is it evil for a gentleman to become famous? ."

Notes

①The word "de" or "yu" in this sentence should be the wrong word for "go", ②Evil (Wu): where, how. ③ Make times: rush, haste. ① Difficulty; poverty, frustration.

Translation

Confucius said: "Everyone wants to have money and status, but if it is not obtained through benevolent means, a gentleman will not accept it; poverty and lowliness will , This is something that everyone hates, but if you don’t get rid of it in a benevolent way, a gentleman will not get rid of it. Once a gentleman leaves the benevolence, how can he achieve a good reputation? So, a gentleman can do it at any time - even after eating. He does not stray from benevolence even during the short period of a meal. This is the case when he is in a hurry, and it is also the case when he is wandering around."

Interpretation

We say today: "A gentleman loves money. , there is a way to get it. "What "way"? The legal way.

In the final analysis, it is the way of benevolence and righteousness - the way of benevolence.

Benevolence is the foundation for settling down and establishing a life, and the principle of life. Therefore, no matter whether you are rich or poor, whether you are in a hurry or when you are displaced, you must not violate this foundation and principle. In the words of Mencius, it is still the famous saying: "Wealth cannot be fornicated, poverty cannot be removed."

Of course, the premise here is to have principles of life. For those who "just follow their feelings" or even "die if they enjoy it", all this is meaningless. In the face of fierce competition, the weak and the strong, and intrigues, as long as the goal can be achieved, any means will be used. What principles of benevolence can be followed? If there is, it is also the principle of "there is a way to steal" - the purpose is everything.

This is already a matter of choosing a world view and outlook on life.