Confucian Idea of a Door 出不由戶

In "Door to the Source of Creation," there is a Confucian saying that hints at a hidden place:

論語, 雍也第六. 子曰：「誰能出不由戶，何莫由斯道也？」

In the Analects, Confucius said, “Who can go in and out of their home without using the main door? So why do people not walk the moral path?”

This front door is the primary entry point for our spirits to enter and exit our bodies. This entrance leads to a moral path that we must take. Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn from Pexels

As Confucius suggests, the main door is not merely a physical entryway but a profound symbol. It represents the primary gateway through which the spirit enters and exits the body, pointing to the moral path that we, as human beings, are meant to follow.

Another verse from the Analects further expands on this concept of the moral path:

論語, 學而, 二: 有子曰：君子務本，本立而道生。

In this verse, one of Confucius’ disciples said, “A noble-minded person is rooted in their moral center, which guides the way they live. Once that center is firmly established, the moral path becomes clear.”

Returning to the door analogy, this door represents our moral center—which is the same as our true self, spirit, or original nature. When we live in harmony with it, our moral center naturally gives rise to our moral path.

Yes, the word moral can be off-putting for many, as it often carries a dogmatic connotation. It was that way for me too, especially in my early years of studying Eastern philosophy. But over time, I’ve come to understand that the kind of morality that flows from our true self is simply the voice of our conscience. Following it brings inner peace and a deeper, lasting joy.