Thrift and self-restraint are virtues essential for personal growth, family management, and governance. For an individual, being thrifty and avoiding extravagance fosters personal development and supports effective household management. As an old saying goes: “Every meal and every grain should remind us of the hard work behind them.” For a nation, too, frugality is key to sustainable prosperity. The following are two examples of frugality in ancient China.
Emperor Wen of Han’s frugal rule and compassionate governance
Emperor Wen of Han, who ruled for 23 years after coming to the capital from the Dai region, was known for his remarkable commitment to thrift and simplicity. Throughout his reign, he made minimal additions to the imperial palaces, courts, and stables and refrained from spending on clothing and even utensils. Whenever he noticed policies or regulations that caused hardship for the people, he worked to change them for their benefit.
Once, when planning to build a terrace, the cost was estimated at 100 catties of gold — an amount equivalent to the wealth of 10 average households. Emperor Wen reflected on this and declared: “I am responsible for maintaining the palace of the former emperors and must not disgrace them. Why should I build this terrace?” This decision exemplified his awareness of the burden such expenses would place on the state and its people.
Emperor Wen was often seen wearing garments made of coarse silk, far from the luxurious attire expected of a ruler. Even his favored Lady Shen was not permitted to wear dresses that trailed on the ground, and he prohibited the use of embroidered curtains, choosing instead to set a public example of modesty and simplicity. When planning his tomb, he ordered it to be constructed with only basic materials like earthenware. He rejected the use of gold, silver, copper, or tin to avoid troubling the ordinary people with excessive demands.
Emperor Wen was generous in providing for those in need despite his frugal ways. He issued decrees to assist widows, orphans, and the poor, offering regular rations to the elderly, and ensuring local officials delivered these gifts personally. Those who failed to comply with his orders were held accountable, reflecting his dedication to justice and compassion.
Emperor Wen demonstrated a unique combination of authority and humility by valuing simplicity over luxury. His careful consideration of the costs of imperial projects contrasted sharply with his ability to empathize with the hardships of ordinary people. Historian Sima Qian praised him, stating: “The Emperor devoted himself to educating the people through virtue, and thus, prosperity and a spirit of propriety prevailed.” The era of Han Wendi and his son Han Jingdi is collectively known as the “Rule of Wen and Jing” and is considered a golden age in Chinese history that exemplified wise governance.
Sima Guang’s modest lifestyle and emphasis on thrift
Sima Guang, a renowned historian and statesman, also exemplified thriftiness and simplicity. Throughout his life, he wore coarse clothing and maintained a simple diet. When his wife passed away, he had to sell his land in Luoyang to afford her funeral. In a letter to his son, Sima Kang, Sima Guang emphasized the importance of thrift: “All virtuous people begin with thrift. External things will not enslave a person in power who is thrifty and can walk a righteous path. An ordinary person who is thrifty can control desires, save money, and avoid crime, thereby enriching the household.”
He further warned against luxury, stating: “Extravagance leads to greed, and a greedy official is prone to corruption, while an extravagant commoner is likely to resort to theft.” Sima Guang’s adherence to modesty and thrift reflected his deep concern for moral integrity and his desire to promote these values in society. He was strict with his son, fearing that a culture of luxury and indulgence might corrupt future generations. His teachings on thriftiness became widely known and are still cited as moral guidance today.
Conclusion
Virtuous people strive to practice thrift and self-restraint, qualities that sages have respected throughout history. Extravagance, on the other hand, leads to ruin. As the saying goes, “Misery follows the extravagant, but the frugal one is at peace.”
Many ancient Chinese believed heaven predetermines a person’s wealth and expenditures — “One sip and one bite, all preordained.” A wealthy person who lives extravagantly will eventually lose everything. In contrast, a wealthy person who pays attention to virtue and strives to improve their character will retain their wealth for a long time. For those of modest means, practicing thrift, exercising self-restraint, and performing good deeds can help secure a prosperous and respected future.
Translated by Elaine
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