Analects 4.5 · Li Ren
“Wealth and rank are what people desire, but if they cannot be obtained in accordance with the Way, do not keep them.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
富與貴 是人之所欲也 不以其道得之 不處也 (fù yǔ guì, shì rén zhī suǒ yù yě, bù yǐ qí dào dé zhī, bù chǔ yě) means “Wealth and rank are what people desire, but if they cannot be obtained in accordance with the Way, do not keep them.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 5.
富與貴 是人之所欲也 不以其道得之 不處也
- Pinyin
- fù yǔ guì, shì rén zhī suǒ yù yě, bù yǐ qí dào dé zhī, bù chǔ yě
- Translation
- Wealth and rank are what people desire, but if they cannot be obtained in accordance with the Way, do not keep them.
- Source
- Analects, Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 5
What does this passage mean?
In Li Ren, Confucius offers a balanced view of wealth and rank. He does not deny the desire itself, acknowledging that everyone wants them. He adds one condition: they must be obtained through the proper Way. Not dwelling in them means refusing to accept or retain them otherwise. The passage shares the conviction that unrighteous riches are no more substantial than drifting clouds, but states it in a more universal form.
How can we apply it today?
Confucius was not an ascetic. Wanting wealth is a natural human desire, but the process of acquiring it must be just. In investment, business, and employment, how we earn matters more than how much. A small result gained rightly is more valuable than a large result gained dishonestly. The legitimacy of the process makes the outcome sustainable.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Are you preserving rightful means while pursuing wealth?
- ·Have you compromised by telling yourself that a questionable step was harmless?
- ·Which do you value more, the process or the result?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 富 | fù | wealthy | 12 | 宀 (roof) |
| 與 | yǔ | and | 14 | 臼 (mortar) |
| 貴 | guì | noble | 12 | 貝 (shell) |
| 是 | shì | this | 9 | 日 (sun) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 之 | zhī | possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 所 | suǒ | that which | 8 | 戶 (door) |
| 欲 | yù | hope for | 11 | 欠 (lack) |
| 也 | yě | grammatical particle | 3 | 乙 (second) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 以 | yǐ | by means of | 5 | 人 (person) |
| 其 | qí | that; he | 8 | 八 (eight) |
| 道 | dào | the Way; road | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 得 | dé | obtain | 11 | 彳 (step) |
| 之 | zhī | go; possessive particle | 4 | 丿 (slash) |
| 不 | bù | not | 4 | 一 (one) |
| 處 | chǔ | remain | 11 | 虍 (tiger) |
| 也 | yě | grammatical particle | 3 | 乙 (second) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “Wealth and rank are what people desire, but…” mean?
富與貴 是人之所欲也 不以其道得之 不處也 (fù yǔ guì, shì rén zhī suǒ yù yě, bù yǐ qí dào dé zhī, bù chǔ yě) means “Wealth and rank are what people desire, but if they cannot be obtained in accordance with the Way, do not keep them.” It comes from the Analects, Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 5.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 4.5: Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 5.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Confucius was not an ascetic.Wanting wealth is a natural human desire, but the process of acquiring it must be just.In investment, business, and employment, how we earn matters more than how much.