《Caigentan (菜根譚) The Former Collection #49》 Unashamed in the Light, Disciplined

[49칙] If You Wish Not to Be Ashamed in the Light, Beware from the Darkness

📜 Original Text

肝受病,則目不能視;
腎受病,則耳不能聽;
病受於人所不見,
必發於人所共見。
故君子欲無得罪於昭昭,
先無得罪於冥冥。

📚 English Translation

When the liver is diseased, the eyes cannot see clearly;
When the kidneys are diseased, the ears cannot hear well.
A disease takes root where no one sees it,
Yet inevitably reveals itself where all can see.
Therefore, if a Junzi (noble person) wishes to remain blameless in the light,
They must first be faultless in the dark.

✍️ Hanja Breakdown

• 肝 (gān): Liver (one of the five zàng organs).
• 受 (shòu): To receive, to obtain, to contract (an illness), to arise.
• 病 (bìng): Illness, disease.
• 肝受病 (gān shòu bìng): The liver contracts an illness; the liver becomes sick.
• 則 (zé): Then, in that case, if...then.
• 目 (mù): Eye.
• 不 (bù): Not, no.
• 能 (néng): To be able to.
• 視 (shì): To see, to look.
• 目不能視 (mù bù néng shì): The eyes cannot see.
• 腎 (shèn): Kidney.
• 腎受病 (shèn shòu bìng): The kidney contracts an illness; the kidney becomes sick.
• 耳 (ěr): Ear.
• 聽 (tīng): To hear, to listen.
• 耳不能聽 (ěr bù néng tīng): The ears cannot hear.
• 於 (yú): In, at, from, by (a preposition).
• 人 (rén): Person, people.
• 所 (suǒ): A particle that nominalizes the following verb, meaning "that which is..." or "the place where...".
• 所 B: That which is B-ed.
• 於 A 所 B: By what A does B / In the place where A does B (linking the passive action to its source or agent).
• 不 (bù): Not.
• 見 (jiàn): To see, to appear.
• 人所不見 (rén suǒ bù jiàn): A place unseen by people; hidden, obscure.
• 病受於人所不見 (bìng shòu yú rén suǒ bù jiàn): Illness arises in a place unseen by people.
• 必 (bì): Must, certainly, inevitably.
• 發 (fā): To occur, to appear, to manifest, to reveal.
• 共 (gòng): Together, all.
• 人所共見 (rén suǒ gòng jiàn): A place seen by all people; obvious, public.
• 故 (gù): Therefore, thus.
• 君 (jūn): Sovereign, noble person.
• 子 (zǐ): Son (here, a suffix for a respected person).
• 君子 (jūnzǐ): A noble person, a person of virtue.
• 欲 (yù): To wish, to desire.
• 無 (wú): Not to have, not to do.
• 得 (dé): To gain, to incur.
• 罪 (zuì): Guilt, offense, sin.
• 得罪 (dézuì): To commit a sin, to incur guilt.
• 無得罪 (wú dézuì): Not to commit a sin.
• 昭 (zhāo): Bright, clear, evident.
• 昭昭 (zhāozhāo): Bright and clear; public, obvious. (Outward actions or reputation).
• 於昭昭 (yú zhāozhāo): In the bright/public realm.
• 先 (xiān): First, in advance.
• 冥 (míng): Dark, obscure.
• 冥冥 (míngmíng): Dark and obscure; hidden, secret, where no one knows. (Inner thoughts, secret actions).
• 於冥冥 (yú míngmíng): In the dark/secret realm.

🔍 Commentary: What Begins Unseen Will Inevitably Be Revealed

This 49th teaching of Caigentan uses the metaphor of the human body to illustrate a profound moral truth:
The flaws or wrongs hidden within us inevitably manifest outwardly.
True self-discipline must therefore begin in the unseen, private corners of our lives.


1️⃣ Inner flaws manifest outwardly

Just as diseases in the liver and kidneys—hidden organs—cause clear symptoms in the eyes and ears, so too do hidden moral failings eventually reveal themselves in one’s words and actions.
The root of a problem may be invisible, but its effects are plain for all to see.


2️⃣ Concealed faults will eventually come to light

The text broadens the metaphor to human conduct:
A “disease” here represents secret faults, unethical desires, or unexamined thoughts.
At first, they arise “where no one sees,” but over time they inevitably surface “where everyone sees.”
This is a solemn reminder that nothing remains hidden forever.


3️⃣ The noble person’s way: guarding oneself in the unseen

A noble person (君子) does not merely maintain a good outward reputation, but ensures that even in private and in thought they are upright.
The “light” represents public life and reputation, while the “dark” refers to one’s inner world and hidden moments.
Integrity means aligning one’s private self with one’s public self.
True virtue is cultivated where no one is watching.

🌱 Conclusion: True Character Is Forged in Solitude

This teaching echoes the Confucian ideal of 慎獨 (shèn dú) — “caution in solitude.”
It reminds us that who we truly are is revealed not in the spotlight, but in the quiet moments when no one is looking.

These private choices shape who we become, and inevitably determine how we are perceived.
If you wish to remain unashamed in the light, you must first guard your heart and actions in the dark.
That is the path of shendu, and the foundation of true virtue.