In ancient China, Yan Hui (c. 521-481 B.C.) was regarded as Confucius’ most beloved disciple. Known for his quiet nature, deep moral character, and eagerness to learn, he stood out even among the 72 students who studied under the great teacher. Yan Hui rarely let his emotions rule him and was praised by Confucius for never repeating his mistakes.
A simple math dispute becomes a life lesson
One day, during the Spring and Autumn Period, Yan Hui passed by a busy cloth shop and noticed a commotion. A crowd had gathered to watch a quarrel between a cloth seller and a customer. The buyer was shouting: “Three times eight is twenty-three! Why are you charging me for twenty-four?”
Seeing that the customer had miscalculated, Yan Hui stepped forward and respectfully said: “Brother, three times eight is twenty-four, not twenty-three. It seems you made a mistake — there’s no need to argue.”
The man, still upset, snapped back: “Who asked you to get involved? Who do you think you are? If there’s anyone who can settle this, it’s Confucius himself! Let’s go ask him!”
Yan Hui replied calmly: “Very well. But what if Confucius rules that you’re wrong?”
The man declared: “Then I’ll wager my head. And if you’re wrong?”
“I’ll wager my hat,” Yan Hui responded with a smile.
So the two of them went to Confucius. After hearing the situation, Confucius turned to Yan Hui and said with a gentle smile: “Three times eight is twenty-three. You’ve lost — hand over your hat.”
Without protest, Yan Hui removed his hat and gave it to the buyer, who left feeling victorious. Outwardly, Yan Hui accepted the judgment without question. But inwardly, he was troubled. He couldn’t understand why his wise teacher would support something so clearly incorrect. He began to wonder if Confucius had grown confused with age and felt disillusioned.
Two warnings from the master
The next day, Yan Hui requested leave, saying he needed to tend to something at home. Confucius, sensing what was truly on his student’s mind, said nothing and quietly approved the request. Before Yan Hui left, Confucius offered him two pieces of advice: “Do not take shelter in a thousand-year-old tree. And do not strike in anger unless you know the full truth.”
Yan Hui promised to remember, then set off for home.
Along the way, the sky darkened, and a storm broke out. Thunder rumbled and rain threatened. Spotting a large hollow tree by the roadside, Yan Hui stepped inside to wait out the storm — but then recalled Confucius’ first warning. Out of respect, he stepped back out. Moments later, a bolt of lightning struck the tree, shattering it.
Shaken, Yan Hui hurried home. It was late at night by the time he arrived, and not wanting to wake anyone, he used his sword to quietly lift the bolt on the door to his wife’s room. As he reached the bed, he was startled to feel two people sleeping — one on the north side and one on the south.
Overcome with suspicion and rage, he raised his sword — but just then, Confucius’ second warning flashed through his mind: “Do not strike in anger unless you know the full truth.” He lit a lamp. To his astonishment, it was his wife on one side of the bed, and his sister on the other.
The meaning behind the lesson
At dawn, Yan Hui returned to Confucius and knelt before him. “Master,” he said, “your two warnings saved not only my life, but also the lives of my wife and sister. How did you know what would happen?”
Confucius gently helped him to his feet and explained: “Yesterday, the air was dry and hot. I could sense a thunderstorm was coming, so I warned you not to stay near a thousand-year-old tree. And since you left in anger with a sword at your side, I feared what might happen if your emotions overtook you. That’s why I told you not to act without full understanding.”
Then he added: “I also knew your excuse for returning home was not genuine. You had begun to doubt me. But ask yourself this — if I had ruled that three times eight is twenty-four, you would’ve won, but that man could have lost his life. What matters more: a hat, or a life?”
Suddenly, everything became clear. Yan Hui fell to his knees again and said: “Master, I was wrong to doubt you. You placed righteousness above pride and chose what was best for everyone. I am deeply ashamed.”
From that day forward, Yan Hui never again left his teacher’s side.
A disciple known for moral clarity
Yan Hui is still remembered as one of the most virtuous figures in Confucian tradition. He valued restraint, introspection, and moral clarity, believing that one should first correct one’s own behavior rather than harshly judge others. Confucius once praised him in The Analects, saying: “How virtuous is Hui! With a bowl of rice, a ladle of water, and a modest home, where others would feel despair, he finds joy.”
His story reminds us that wisdom is not just about being right — it’s about choosing compassion over ego, harmony over conflict, and truth over impulse. Even today, Yan Hui’s humility and strength of character continue to inspire those who seek to live with integrity.
Translated by Patty Zhang
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