Analects 6.21
The Analects (論語), BOOK VI. YUNG YEY 雍也第六
子曰、知者樂水、仁者樂山、知者動、仁者靜、知者樂、仁者壽。
The Master said, "The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived."
James Legge (1861), Confucian Analects, The Chinese Classics vol. 1 (1861; 2nd ed. 1893) — public domain.
Character glossary
- 子zison, child; seed, egg; fruit; small thin
- 曰yuēto speak; to say
- 知zhīto know, to perceive, to comprehend
- 者zhěthat which; they who; those who
- 樂lècheerful, happy, laughing; music
- 水shuǐwater, liquid, lotion, juice
- 仁rénbenevolent, humane, kind
- 山shānmountain, hill, peak
- 動dòngto move, to happen; movement, action
- 靜jìngstill, quiet, motionless, gentle
- 壽shòuold age, longevity; lifespan
Passages with shared wording
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.