Confucius' Quote 'Seek Neither Fullness Nor Comfort' Fuels Silicon Valley Frugal Innovation & Neuroscience of Minimalism
君子食无求饱，居无求安。——孔子(jūn zǐ shí wú qiú bǎo, jū wú qiú ān — Kǒngzǐ) Translation: “Nobles seek neither satiety in food nor comfort in dwelling.” Explanation: Confucius’ ascetic minimalism principle “君子食无求饱(jūn zǐ shí wú qiú bǎo), 居无求安(jū wú qiú ān)” (Nobles seek neither satiety in food nor comfort in dwelling) establishes humanity’s earliest philosophy of intentional scarcity. The character 求(qiú)—depicting 衣(yī, clothing) + 又(yòu, repetitive grasping)—metaphorizes disciplined restraint as artisans carefully selecting furs: enough for survival, never excess. This shaped 汉代察廉制(hàn dài chá lián zhì) (Han Austerity Audit System), where officials’ meal portions and home sizes were regulated—those exceeding 求(qiú) limits faced public rice sack-carrying punishments to restore humility. Tang Dynasty 节用令(jié yòng lìng) (Frugality Decrees) operationalized this through 三足法(sān zú fǎ)...
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