《Caigentan (菜根譚) Complete Collection #48》 The Energy of Fortune and Misfortune

[048칙] The Energy of Fortune and Misfortune Comes From Within — The Mind Shapes the Energy That Becomes Destiny

📜 Original Text

吉人無論作用安詳,即夢寐神魂,無非和氣;
凶人無論行事狠戾,即聲音笑貌,渾是殺機。

📚 English Translation

A virtuous person, no matter their actions, carries themselves with serenity and calm;
even their spirit and soul, in their deepest dreams, are nothing but harmonious energy.

A malicious person, no matter how they act, is cruel and vicious;
even their voice and the expression of their smile are wholly permeated by murderous intent.

✍️ Hanja Breakdown

• 吉 (jí): Auspicious, fortunate, good.
• 人 (rén): Person.
• 吉人 (jírén): A fortunate, virtuous person; one with a good heart.
• 無論 (wúlùn): Regardless of, no matter.
• 作用 (zuòyòng): Behavior, actions, conduct.
• 安詳 (ānxiáng): Calm, composed, serene.
• 即 (jí): Even, right down to, as soon as.
• 夢寐 (mèngmèi): Dreams, sleeping state.
• 神魂 (shénhún): Spirit and soul.
• 無非 (wúfēi): Nothing but, entirely.
• 和氣 (héqì): Harmonious energy, peaceful spirit.
• 凶 (xiōng): Ominous, evil, malicious.
• 凶人 (xiōngrén): A malicious, ill-intending person.
• 行事 (xíngshì): Actions, behavior, conduct.
• 狠戾 (hěnlì): Cruel, harsh, vicious.
• 聲音 (shēngyīn): Voice, sound.
• 笑貌 (xiàomào): Smiling expression, outward appearance of a smile.
• 渾 (hún): Entirely, through and through.
• 殺機 (shājī): Murderous intent, violent energy, deadly aura.

🔍 Commentary: Every Moment Reveals the True Nature Within

This passage from the Caigentan insightfully reveals how a person’s true character manifests itself — not only in their conscious actions, but even in their subconscious and subtle expressions.

It reminds us not to judge people solely by appearances, but to sense the deeper energy that emanates from their heart and nature.


1️⃣ A Fortunate Person (吉人): Radiating Harmonious Energy

The text first describes the qualities of a virtuous person (吉人) — someone whose good heart and virtuous nature bring about harmony.
Such a person, no matter their actions, carries themselves with serenity and calm, free of aggression.

This harmony is not superficial, but flows from deep within.
Even their spirit and soul (夢寐神魂), in their deepest dreams, are nothing but harmonious energy (和氣), reflecting the purity of their heart.


2️⃣ A Malicious Person (凶人): Steeped in a Murderous Aura

In contrast, the text describes a malicious person (凶人), whose evil and harsh nature seeps into every aspect of their being.
A malicious person, no matter how they act, is cruel and vicious — but it does not stop there.
Even their voice and the expression of their smile (聲音笑貌) are wholly permeated by murderous intent (殺機).

No matter how hard they try to conceal it, the darkness in their heart inevitably reveals itself.

🌱 Conclusion: The Mind Shapes Energy, and Energy Becomes Destiny

This teaching urges us to reflect deeply on ourselves:
The thoughts and intentions we carry shape the energy we emit, and this energy in turn shapes our destiny.

If we cultivate kindness and harmony within, our presence will bring peace and good fortune wherever we go — even in our most unguarded moments.
But if we allow malice and greed to take root, that darkness will betray us, no matter how much we try to disguise it.

Therefore, nurture your heart and refine your spirit — for it is the mind that shapes the energy that becomes destiny.