QuoteProject
Coarse rice to eat, water to drink, my bended arm for a pillow - therein is happiness. Wealth and rank attained through immoral means are nothing but drifting clouds.
Confucius
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

True happiness comes from simplicity and integrity, not from wealth or status.

In this quote, Confucius emphasizes that genuine happiness is found in the simplest of life's pleasures, such as humble food and a comfortable rest. He warns that attaining wealth and status through unethical means is fleeting and insubstantial, like clouds that drift away, suggesting that a virtuous and modest life leads to lasting contentment.

Themes

HappinessSimplicityWealthIntegrityContentment

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about finding joy in life, one might use this quote to illustrate the idea of appreciating the little things.

More from Confucius

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
ConfuciusRead
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
ConfuciusRead
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
ConfuciusRead
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
ConfuciusRead
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
ConfuciusRead

Similar quotes

When 'happiness' eludes us - as, eventually, it always will - we have the invitation to examine our programmed responses and to exercise our power to choose again.
Richard RohrRead
The way to healthy living is to shift from quantitative economic growth to quality of life, food, water and air - to shift from craving to contentment and from greed to gratitude
Satish KumarRead
Happy is he who still loves something he loved in the nursery: He has not been broken in two by time; he is not two men, but one, and he has saved not only his soul but his life.
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead
I think it's so foolish for people to want to be happy. Happy is so momentary--you're happy for an instant and then you start thinking again. Interest is the most important thing in life; happiness is temporary, but interest is continuous.
Georgia O'KeeffeRead
True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.
Lucius Annaeus SenecaRead
Having a great intellect is no path to being happy.
Stephen FryRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.