《Caigentan(採根談)- Original Former Collection #29》 [029] 憂勤是美德, 太苦則無以適性怡情; 澹泊是高風,
《Caigentan(採根談)- Original Former Collection #29》 [029]
📜 Original Text
憂勤是美德, 太苦則無以適性怡情; 澹泊是高風, 太枯則無以濟人利物.
📚 English Translation
Being diligent and conscientious is a virtue, but if it becomes too arduous, it disrupts one’s nature and robs the heart of joy.
Living a simple, unworldly life reflects a noble spirit, but if it becomes too barren, one can neither help others nor benefit the world.
✍️ Hanja Breakdown
- 憂 (yōu): worry, concern, anxiety
- 勤 (qín): diligence, industriousness, effort
- 憂勤 (yōu qín): to worry and strive, to be conscientious and diligent
- 是 (shì): to be, is
- 美 (měi): beautiful, good
- 德 (dé): virtue, moral excellence
- 美德 (měi dé): a beautiful virtue, an admirable quality
- 太 (tài): too, excessively
- 苦 (kǔ): bitter, arduous, painful, hard
- 太苦 (tài kǔ): overly arduous, excessively harsh
- 則 (zé): then, thus
- 無 (wú): to lack, cannot
- 以 (yǐ): by means of, with
- 無以 (wú yǐ): to have no means, to be unable to
- 適 (shì): to harmonize, to adapt, to align
- 性 (xìng): nature, disposition
- 適性 (shì xìng): to harmonize with one’s nature, to maintain natural balance
- 怡 (yí): joyful, pleased
- 情 (qíng): feeling, emotion, heart
- 怡情 (yí qíng): to gladden the heart, to bring joy to the spirit
- 適性怡情 (shì xìng yí qíng): to preserve one’s nature and gladden the heart
- 澹 (dàn): simple, unworldly, pure
- 泊 (bó): calm, detached, tranquil
- 澹泊 (dàn bó): a simple, detached life, integrity and purity
- 高 (gāo): lofty, noble
- 風 (fēng): demeanor, character, spirit
- 高風 (gāo fēng): noble spirit, lofty character
- 枯 (kū): withered, barren, lifeless
- 太枯 (tài kū): excessively barren, too lifeless
- 濟 (jì): to help, to aid, to benefit
- 人 (rén): people, others
- 濟人 (jì rén): to help others
- 利 (lì): to benefit, to bring advantage
- 物 (wù): things, the world
- 利物 (lì wù): to benefit the world, to be of service to all
- 濟人利物 (jì rén lì wù): to help others and benefit all things
🔍 Commentary
Cai Gen Tan reads like a map of life, showing us where to find balance on the path we walk. This passage, in particular, teaches us to beware of excess and to value moderation in all things.
It reminds us of the wisdom in the Doctrine of the Mean (中庸) — “Going too far is as bad as falling short” (過猶不及). Even virtues and noble qualities, when taken to extremes, can lose their essence and bring unintended harm.
The first line reads:
“Being diligent and conscientious is a virtue, but if it becomes too arduous, it disrupts one’s nature and robs the heart of joy.”
Here, diligence and concern (憂勤) represent a responsible and sincere attitude. Caring for oneself and others, and striving with effort, is certainly a virtue — but if the hardship becomes excessive, it unsettles one’s nature (適性) and takes away the joy of the heart (怡情).
This echoes the modern idea of “burnout,” where overwork and relentless self-improvement lead to exhaustion and sap the joy and creativity out of life. Even the best medicine, if overdosed, becomes poison — so too does virtue lose its light when taken to extremes.
The second line continues:
“Living a simple, unworldly life reflects a noble spirit, but if it becomes too barren, one can neither help others nor benefit the world.”
A simple and detached life (澹泊) reflects purity and freedom from worldly desires. Such a life is admirable — but if taken to the point of barrenness (太枯), it disconnects one from the world and robs them of the ability to help others (濟人) or benefit all things (利物).
It calls to mind the saying: “If the water is too clear, no fish can live in it.” Excessive purity or detachment drains life’s vitality and prevents one from bringing benefit to others. True nobility lies in cultivating oneself while staying connected to the world and sharing one’s positive influence.
Ultimately, this passage reaffirms the wisdom of moderation. Diligence and restraint are beautiful virtues — but they shine only when held in balance. A life that preserves one’s nature while bringing good to others, a life that nourishes both oneself and the world — this is the true wisdom and virtue that Cai Gen Tan imparts.