zhī知knowzú足enoughcháng常alwayslè乐happy
Contentment brings happiness; happy is he who is content.
Literal meaning
know (知) — enough (足) — always (常) — happy (乐)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase emphasizing the importance of being content with what one has.
Examples
Suī虽rán然shēng生huó活bù不fù富yù裕,dàn但tā他zhī知zú足cháng常lè乐,měi每tiān天dōu都guò过dé得hěn很kāi开xīn心。
Although his life is not wealthy, he is content and happy, and he is happy every day.
Zhī知zú足cháng常lè乐shì是yī一zhǒng种shēng生huó活de的zhì智huì慧。
Contentment is a wisdom of life.
Usage & nuances
A philosophical expression about finding happiness in simplicity.
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