Confucius said, "Gentleman, don't worry about not having enough to eat, don't worry about being uncomfortable, work hard and be careful in your words. He can be said to be eager to learn and find the right person to correct himself.

Source: The Analects of Confucius Learning-Kong Qiu in the Spring and Autumn Period

Original text:

Confucius said: "A gentleman does not want to eat enough, he is prepared for danger in times of peace and is sensitive to things, but he is cautious, honest and clean, which can be said to be studious."

Translation:

Confucius said: "A gentleman is not satisfied with his diet and daily life. He is diligent and agile in his work, but cautious in his words, which can be said to be studious.

Extended data

Idiom: Have a full meal.

Athena Chu: West Vutsib

Explanation: You don't need to feel full when eating. Of diet.

Synonym: not enough to eat, not enough to eat.

Usage: as object and attribute; Eat moderately.

Idiom story

During the Spring and Autumn Period, after being pushed out of the political arena by Lu, Confucius led his disciples to travel around the world. After Wei, Zheng, Chen and Jin hit a wall, they lived in Cai. Their lives are very poor, and they often don't know the taste of March meat. But as Confucius said, "the three armed forces can win the handsome, but ordinary people can't win the ambition."

If a gentleman is poor, he will face it calmly, if he is poor, he will think about change and stick to his ambition. Therefore, "gentlemen don't have enough to eat" tells us that gentlemen don't care about material wealth, but pay attention to spiritual wealth.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Sensitive, careful use of words

References:

Baidu encyclopedia-not enough to eat