为善最乐 wéi shàn zuì lè Doing good is the greatest joy

Explanation

做善事是最快乐的事。这是中国古代流传至今的一句名言，劝诫人们要多做好事，积德行善。

Doing good deeds brings the greatest happiness. This is a proverb passed down from ancient China, advising people to do more good deeds and accumulate virtue.

Origin Story

很久以前，在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位名叫李成的老农。他一生勤劳善良，乐于助人。他经常帮助村里的穷人，为他们提供食物和衣物，有时甚至把自己的田地分给那些没有土地耕种的人。尽管生活清贫，但他总是面带笑容，因为他深知，为善最乐。一天，村里来了一个衣衫褴褛的穷人，他身患重病，无钱医治。李成毫不犹豫地拿出自己的积蓄，帮助他看病，还细心地照顾他，直到他康复。穷人临走时，对李成千恩万谢，说他一生从未体会过如此温暖。李成笑着说：‘为善最乐，这才是真正的快乐。’村里的人们看到李成如此善良，都十分敬佩他，他的善举也感染了周围的人，大家都开始乐于助人。从此，小山村里充满了爱与和谐。

hěn jiǔ yǐ qián, zài yīgè piānpì de xiǎo shān cūn lǐ, zhù zhe yī wèi míng jiào lǐ chéng de lǎo nóng. tā yī shēng qínláo shànliáng, lè yú zhù rén. tā jīng cháng bāngzhù cūn lǐ de qióng rén, wèi tāmen tígōng shíwù hé yīwù, yǒu shí shènzhì bǎ zìjǐ de tiándì fēn gěi nàxiē méiyǒu tǔdì gēngzhòng de rén. jǐnguǎn shēnghuó qīnpín, dàn tā zǒngshì miàndài xiàoróng, yīnwèi tā shēn zhī, wéi shàn zuì lè. yī tiān, cūn lǐ lái le yīgè yīsān lánlǚ de qióng rén, tā shēn huàn zhòng bìng, wú qián yī zhì. lǐ chéng háo bù yóuyù de ná chū zìjǐ de jīxù, bāngzhù tā kàn bìng, hái xìxīn de zhàogù tā, zhídào tā kāngfù. qióng rén lín zǒu shí, duì lǐ chéng qiān ēn wàn xiè, shuō tā yīshēng cóng wèi tǐhuì guò rúcǐ wēn nuǎn. lǐ chéng xiào zhe shuō: ‘wéi shàn zuì lè, zhè cái shì zhēnzhèng de kuàilè.’ cūn lǐ de rénmen kàn dào lǐ chéng rúcǐ shànliáng, dōu shífēn jìngpèi tā, tā de shànjǔ yě gǎnrǎn le zhōuwéi de rén, dàjiā dōu kāishǐ lè yú zhù rén. cóng cǐ, xiǎo shān cūn lǐ chōngmǎn le ài yǔ héxié.

Long ago, in a remote mountain village, lived an old farmer named Li Cheng. He was diligent, kind, and helpful throughout his life. He often helped the poor in the village, providing them with food and clothing, and sometimes even sharing his own land with those who had none to cultivate. Despite his meager life, he always had a smile on his face, for he knew that doing good is the greatest joy. One day, a ragged poor man came to the village, suffering from a serious illness and without money for treatment. Li Cheng immediately gave him his savings to help him get medical care, and carefully looked after him until he recovered. Before leaving, the poor man thanked Li Cheng profusely, saying that he had never experienced such warmth in his life. Li Cheng smiled and said, “Doing good is the greatest joy; this is true happiness.” The villagers, seeing Li Cheng's kindness, admired him greatly, and his good deeds inspired those around him to be helpful too. From then on, the mountain village was filled with love and harmony.

Usage

常用于劝诫人们行善积德，劝人多做好事。

cháng yòng yú quànjiè rénmen xíng shàn jī dé, quàn rén duō zuò hǎo shì.

Often used to advise people to do good deeds and accumulate virtue; encourages people to do more good deeds.

Examples

• 为善最乐，积德行善，功德无量。

  wéi shàn zuì lè, jī dé xíng shàn, gōng dé wú liàng.

  Doing good is the greatest joy, accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, boundless merit.

• 为善最乐，利人利己，岂不快哉？

  wéi shàn zuì lè, lì rén lì jǐ, qǐ bù kuài zāi?

  Doing good is the greatest joy, benefiting others and oneself, isn't it wonderful?

Related Idioms

• 乐善好施

• 行善积德

Opposite Idioms

• 作恶多端

• 为非作歹