Analects 15.12 · Wei Ling Gong
“A person who gives no thought to the future is certain to face worries close at hand.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
人無遠慮 必有近憂 (rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu) means “A person who gives no thought to the future is certain to face worries close at hand.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 15 (Wei Ling Gong), Chapter 12.
人無遠慮 必有近憂
- Pinyin
- rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu
- Translation
- A person who gives no thought to the future is certain to face worries close at hand.
- Source
- Analects, Book 15 (Wei Ling Gong), Chapter 12
What does this passage mean?
Thinking far ahead is contrasted here with worry close at hand. The passage warns that failure to look toward the future inevitably produces immediate trouble. It applies to governing a state as well as to an individual life. Confucius had watched rulers lose their countries while pursuing only present advantage, so he emphasized the importance of a long view.
How can we apply it today?
If we spend an entire paycheck and save nothing, an unexpected expense becomes a crisis. If we neglect health, the body may suddenly fail. If we do not invest in relationships, we have nowhere to turn in trouble. Preparing for the future from a long-term perspective is one of the best defenses against anxiety. We should make a habit of asking what we can do today for the person we will be tomorrow.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Have you pictured your life five or ten years from now?
- ·What future preparation are you postponing for present comfort?
- ·Can you confidently say that you are thinking far ahead?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 無 | wú | lack | 12 | 火 (fire) |
| 遠 | yuǎn | far | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 慮 | lǜ | think | 15 | 心 (heart) |
| 必 | bì | certainly | 5 | 心 (heart) |
| 有 | yǒu | exist | 6 | 月 (moon) |
| 近 | jìn | near | 7 | 辵 (walk) |
| 憂 | yōu | worry | 15 | 心 (heart) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “A person who gives no thought to the future…” mean?
人無遠慮 必有近憂 (rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu) means “A person who gives no thought to the future is certain to face worries close at hand.” It comes from the Analects, Book 15 (Wei Ling Gong), Chapter 12.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 15.12: Book 15 (Wei Ling Gong), Chapter 12.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
If we spend an entire paycheck and save nothing, an unexpected expense becomes a crisis.If we neglect health, the body may suddenly fail.