Confucius on wealth and restraint
Confucius was no hair-shirted ascetic. He had no qualms about members of the elite accumulating wealth, provided they did so through legitimate means and avoided excessive greed.
In Chapter 8 of Book 13 of the Analects, he commends Prince Jing of Wei for his pragmatic approach to wealth, noting how he manages his finances with a sense of satisfaction at each stage:
Confucius commented that Prince Jing of Wei knew how to manage the finances of his household well: “When he began to accumulate some wealth, he said ‘this is truly an ideal fit.’ As his wealth increased, he said ‘this is truly complete.’ When his wealth became considerable, he said ‘this is truly beautiful.’”
子謂衛公子荊善居室：「始有，曰『苟合矣』；少有，曰『苟完矣』；富有，曰『苟美矣。』」
As a minister in the government of the state of Wei and a member of the ruling family, Prince Jing would have had ample opportunity to enrich himself and enjoy the trappings of office, but he was renowned for his moderation. By praising Jing for his (relative) restraint, Confucius is probably also subtly critiquing the rampant greed and indulgent lifestyles of other members of the court who were not afraid to have a good time.
Related Links
Leadership Lessons from Confucius: enjoy your wealth
The Analects of Confucius Book 13 New English Translation
