Analects 6.23 · Yong Ye
“The wise delight in water; the humane delight in mountains.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
知者樂水 仁者樂山 (zhì zhě yào shuǐ, rén zhě yào shān) means “The wise delight in water; the humane delight in mountains.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 23.
知者樂水 仁者樂山
- Pinyin
- zhì zhě yào shuǐ, rén zhě yào shān
- Translation
- The wise delight in water; the humane delight in mountains.
- Source
- Analects, Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 23
What does this passage mean?
The wise person and the humane person are pictured through water and mountains. Water continually flows and changes, while a mountain quietly remains in place. In Yong Ye, Confucius uses these qualities of nature to portray two kinds of character. The wise are flexible and active like water, investigating the patterns of things; the humane are dependable and stable like mountains, embracing others. He continues by saying that the wise are joyful and the humane live long.
How can we apply it today?
This passage can help modern people understand their own dispositions. Some enjoy change and challenge; others seek stability and harmony. Both are valuable ways of living. One person may favor a startup while another prefers an established organization; one may love travel while another enjoys tending a garden. What matters is knowing your nature and shaping a life that suits it.
Questions to reflect on
- ·Are you more like water or like a mountain?
- ·Which feels more natural to you, pursuing change or preserving stability?
- ·Do you understand and respect people whose disposition differs from yours?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 知 | zhì | wise; wisdom | 8 | 矢 (arrow) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 樂 | yào | delight in | 15 | 木 (tree) |
| 水 | shuǐ | water | 4 | 水 (water) |
| 仁 | rén | benevolent | 4 | 人 (person) |
| 者 | zhě | person | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 樂 | yào | delight in | 15 | 木 (tree) |
| 山 | shān | mountain | 3 | 山 (mountain) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “The wise delight in water; the humane…” mean?
知者樂水 仁者樂山 (zhì zhě yào shuǐ, rén zhě yào shān) means “The wise delight in water; the humane delight in mountains.” It comes from the Analects, Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 23.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 6.23: Book 6 (Yong Ye), Chapter 23.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
This passage can help modern people understand their own dispositions.Some enjoy change and challenge; others seek stability and harmony.Both are valuable ways of living.