《Caigentan (菜根譚) – Complete Works | Former Collection》 #2 [002]

 

📖 Chaegeundam (菜根譚) #2 [002]


📜 Original Text (Chinese)

涉世淺，點染亦淺；歷事深，機械亦深。
故君子與其練達，不若朴魯；與其曲謹，不若疏狂。



📚 English Translation

When one’s experience of the world is shallow, one is less likely to be tainted by it.
But as one goes through more in life, schemes and crafty tricks often grow deeper as well.
Therefore, a virtuous person would rather remain plain and simple than become overly worldly and sophisticated.
And rather than being overly calculating and skilled at social maneuvering, it is better to be open-hearted, spontaneous, and free from pretension.



🪶 Chinese Character Breakdown

• 涉 (shè) – to wade, to experience
• 世 (shì) – world, worldly affairs
• 淺 (qiǎn) – shallow
• 點 (diǎn) – dot, to stain
• 染 (rǎn) – to dye, to be influenced
• 亦 (yì) – also, likewise
• 歷 (lì) – to pass through, to undergo
• 事 (shì) – matter, event, experience
• 深 (shēn) – deep
• 機 (jī) – loom, opportunity, scheme
• 械 (xiè) – tool, mechanism → 機械 (jīxiè): trickery, cunning plans
• 故 (gù) – therefore
• 君子 (jūnzǐ) – a noble person; one of high moral character
• 與其 (yǔqí) – rather than
• 練達 (liàndá) – worldly-wise, experienced, sophisticated
• 不若 (bùruò) – not as good as
• 朴魯 (pǔlǔ) – simple and unsophisticated
• 曲謹 (qūjǐn) – overly cautious, calculated, socially polished
• 疏狂 (shūkuáng) – free-spirited, open, unreserved



💡 Notes on Key Phrases

• 機械 (jīxiè): In this context, this does not mean “machine” as in modern usage. In classical Chinese, it refers to tricks, schemes, hidden agendas, or calculating intentions.
→ “Depth of experience brings depth of cunning.”

• 與其 A，不若 B (Yǔqí A, bùruò B):
A classical structure meaning “Rather than A, it is better to B.”
→ This expresses preference by comparison.
Example:

“Rather than being clever and polished (練達), it's better to be plain and sincere (朴魯).”

• 曲謹 vs. 疏狂:

曲謹 refers to someone overly cautious, calculated, or diplomatically skillful — often hiding their true thoughts behind etiquette.
疏狂, on the other hand, implies someone who is a bit wild or careless on the surface but genuine and uninhibited — someone who doesn't hide behind formalities.





이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.


🔍 Interpretation

This passage offers a profound reflection on how life experience affects our character.
As we face more complex situations, we may learn how to navigate them more smoothly — but we also risk becoming calculating or manipulative.

Chaegeundam reminds us that virtue lies not in worldly cleverness but in honesty, humility, and authenticity.
Better to be seen as naïve but genuine than to gain the world through masks and strategies.