# Yen Hûi — Analects character guide > Yen Hûi in Analects by Confucius. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hûi, Yen, Yen Yüan, X Yen Yüan, Book XII Yen Yüan I Yen Yüan **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-hsio-r ## Who they are The disciple Confucius calls his only true lover of learning, who found joy in a bamboo dish of rice and a narrow lane. ## In the story ### [Book II: Wei Chang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-ii-wei-chang) Praised by Confucius for his ability to illustrate teachings despite appearing slow. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ix) Disciple who appears stupid but proves to be able to illustrate the teachings. ### [Book V: Kung-Ye Ch’ǎng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-v-kung-ye-ch-ng) Praised by Confucius as superior to Tsze-kung in understanding, as he grasps all from one point. ### [Chapter VII: The Master's Comparison of Tsze-kung and Yen Hûi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/vii) Yen Hûi is praised for his ability to understand a subject fully from a single point. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxv) Yen Yüan expresses his wish not to boast of his excellence nor to make a display of his meritorious deeds, reflecting humility and self-cultivation. ### [Book VI: Yung Yey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-vi-yung-yey) Praised for his love of learning, his ability to not transfer anger or repeat faults, and his unwavering virtue despite poverty. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ii) Praised by Confucius as the only disciple who loved to learn, noted for not transferring anger and not repeating faults. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/v) Hûi is highlighted as the exemplar of sustained perfect virtue. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ix) Praised for his virtue and joy despite poverty. ### [Book VII: Shû R](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-vii-sh-r) Mentioned as one who, like Confucius, can retire from office when not called, showing his alignment with Confucius's ideals. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/x) Praised by Confucius for attaining the same ideal of serving and retiring. ### [Book IX: Tsze Han](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-ix-tsze-han) Praised for his constant advance and admiration of the Master's doctrines. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/x) Expresses deep admiration for the Master's doctrines and his own struggle to fully comprehend them. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xix) Praised by Confucius for never flagging in his response to instruction. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xx) Praised by Confucius for his constant advance and unceasing progress. ### [Book XI: Hsien Tsin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xi-hsien-tsin) Praised for his love of learning and near-perfect virtue; his death deeply mourned by Confucius. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ii) Distinguished for virtuous principles and practice. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/iii) Hûi is noted as delighting in all of Confucius's words, offering no assistance or pushback. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/vi) Identified by Confucius as the disciple who loved to learn, but who died young. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/viii) His death is the occasion for Confucius's lament. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/ix) The deceased disciple whose death causes Confucius to mourn bitterly. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/x) His death prompts the chapter's central conflict over funeral rites. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xviii) Praised for nearly attaining perfect virtue despite being often in want. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/xxii) Falls behind in K'wang and reassures Confucius of his loyalty, vowing not to die while his master lives. ### [Book XII: Yen Yüan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xii-yen-y-an) Asks about perfect virtue and receives the teaching on subduing self and returning to propriety. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/i) Asks Confucius about perfect virtue and vows to practice the lesson. ### [Book XV: Wei Ling Kung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/book-xv-wei-ling-kung) Mentioned as Yen Yüan, asking about government, though not directly quoted. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/chapters/x) Asks Confucius about the administration of a country. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters/yen-hui - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/analects_se/characters