《Caigentan (菜根譚) – Complete Works | Former Collection》 #13 [013]

《채근담(菜根譚)》 원문 전집 (前集) #13 [013]

📜 Original Text

徑路窄處,留一步與人行；
滋味濃的,減三分讓人嗜。
此是涉世一極安樂法。

📚 English Translation

Where the path is narrow, step back for others to pass;
Where the flavor is rich, give up a portion for others to relish.
This is the wisest and most peaceful way to navigate the world.

🔍 Explanation

This passage embodies the wisdom of 'yielding' and 'consideration'.
By yielding a step on a narrow path, you can pass by others peacefully without collision.
When you share delicious things with others by taking a bit less, the joy of enjoying them together is amplified.
In this way, letting go of your desires just a little and prioritizing consideration for others is the simplest yet wisest way to find peace and satisfaction for yourself, even in the complex world.
Do not try to win, do not try to be ahead;
A person who knows how to enjoy the leisure and peace that comes from stepping back is a true 'master of worldly affairs'.
Such humility and generosity are not merely acts for others; they ultimately bring inner peace for oneself. It is a wisdom that allows you to maintain a steady center in life, even in a society of infinite competition, and find true happiness.
The moment you yield to others, you can also let go of the impatience and attachment in your heart. As your heart empties in this way, space is created to accept even more.
Conflicts arising from relationships with the world naturally flow away in that space, and life becomes a little smoother.
The 'peace and joy (安樂)' that Caigentan speaks of ultimately comes from governing oneself rather than others.

✍️ Hanja Breakdown

• 徑 (jìng): path, road, shortcut.
• 路 (lù): road, path.
• 徑路 (jìnglù): path, road.
• 窄 (zhǎi): narrow, cramped.
• 處 (chù): place, location, situation.
• 徑路窄處 (jìnglù zhǎi chù): where the path is narrow, a cramped passage.
• 留 (liú): to stay, to linger, to leave behind, to yield, to give up (space/opportunity).
• 步 (bù): step, pace.
• 一步 (yībù): one step.
• 與 (yǔ): with, to, for (here, 'to', 'for').
• 人 (rén): person, others, another person.
• 行 (xíng): to go, to pass.
• 與人行 (yǔ rén xíng): to let others pass.
• 滋 (zī): to grow, to increase; flavor.
• 味 (wèi): taste, flavor.
• 滋味 (zīwèi): taste, flavor.
• 濃 (nóng): thick, rich, strong (flavor).
• 的 (de): possessive particle (~'s, ~of), used here to mean 'that which is ~'.
• 滋味濃的 (zīwèi nóng de): that which has a rich flavor.
• 減 (jiǎn): to decrease, to reduce.
• 三 (sān): three.
• 分 (fēn): to divide, share, part (here, 'share' or 'proportion').
• 三分 (sānfēn): three parts, three-tenths (metaphorically 'a small portion', 'a bit', 'a certain share').
• 讓 (ràng): to yield, to give way, to let someone do something.
• 嗜 (shì): to enjoy, to like, to be fond of, to crave, to savor.
• 讓人嗜 (ràng rén shì): to let others enjoy/relish.
• 此 (cǐ): this.
• 是 (shì): to be, this is.
• 涉 (shè): to cross, to experience, to be involved with.
• 世 (shì): world.
• 涉世 (shèshì): to experience the world, to live in the world, worldly affairs.
• 一極 (yījí): the most excellent, unsurpassed, extremely (emphasizing the highest degree). Can also extend to mean 'the uniquely most ~' depending on context.
• 安 (ān): peaceful, comfortable.
• 樂 (lè): joyful, happy.
• 安樂 (ānlè): peace and joy, comfort and happiness.
• 法 (fǎ): method, principle, way, doctrine.