On Material Comforts (RG)

14.2 - The Master said, "A scholar-official who cherishes comfort is not worthy of the name." 

The Slingerland commentary relates the story of Duke Wen of Jin, who was gifted an opulent lifestyle and who grew so distracted by it that even his wife, noticing that he was "ruining his reputation," told him to leave so that he could pursue his intellectual profession properly while traveling. This general sentiment - that prioritizing material goods and experiences distracts one from what actually matters - is consistent with what we've seen so far with Confucius. For example, no matter what small thing a potential student gives to Confucius, it is the sentiment behind the gesture that matters most: 7.7. - “I have never denied instruction to anyone who, of their own accord, offered up as little as a bundle of silk or bit of cured meat.” Nor does using the silk ceremonial cap instead of the linen one mean much of a difference in the ceremony, other than indicating frugality on the part of the user. (9.3) 

This is a wise - and pretty common sense - idea on the part of Confucius. Even if material goods are essential to human experiences, making them the primary object of one's focus distracts one from the actual pursuit of the Way. I definitely believe in a balanced amount of comfort, and good food and clothes that make you happy, but I'm all for the idea that material goods should serve us, not be our primary focus: if one is developing one's character, wouldn't it be excessive to overspend energy on acquiring a number of possessions one does not actually need, fawning over them? Or partying excessively? Or growing stagnant in the pursuit of material comforts, not cultivating dé (德)? 

For a few years while living in Santa Fe, I refused to (somewhat obsessively, in retrospect) acquire a number of personal possessions such as furniture - instead opting for furnished room shares - because I was afraid that growing too comfortable or too attached to my things would distract me from what I was eventually planning, which was to travel abroad for a few years and teach. Perhaps I was too Spartan, or maybe I knew myself and my potential for material enjoyment. After a global pandemic prevented/discouraged my plans, I then began to acquire a variety of household items - a nice bedroom carpet, a shower curtain with sea monsters, etc, because I was spending a lot more time at home when not out for air or exercise, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to make my living space more fun and exciting to be in. Now, having spent a good amount of time enjoying my house, letting my roommate design the space, getting to know my nice neighbors, and fixing up the garden, I've been able to both enjoy material comforts and contend with the fact that I will have to eventually move on and disperse my belongings. I hope I've found a good balance - and that while I can enjoy my surroundings, I can also know that such things are not as important as my aspirations. If I have to pack up and move, leaving only the most important things behind with friends, than so be it. 


Comments

  1. Krishnan VenkateshMarch 4, 2022 at 8:36 PM

    Very wise post. Live like a bird on a branch, ready to leave it instantly. Confucius must have been something like this in his itinerant life -- yet also someone who had a natural love of "home." It's always been striking to me that he's not afraid of his feelings, so there's no anxiety about liking stuff -- and this must be because he knows that his love of virtue and character is stronger.

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