The Tale of Master Yedeok예덕선생전 · 穢德先生傳
A teacher befriends Eom Haengsu, who carries away night soil, but his pupil cannot understand the friendship. Their conversation asks what makes a person worthy of respect.
Labor · Friendship8 min
The Dignity of Ordinary Lives
The appearance of a job is not the measure of a person. Discover standards for living beyond grand reputations.
The Tale of Master Yedeok follows a day spent carrying manure in detail; The Tale of the Recluse Eom records the daily life of a man who does not pursue office or fame. In The Tale of Gwangmun, acts done without seeking an audience become known only later. Rather than loosely grouping the three as admirable people, compare how they make a living, how much they depend on others, and how they respond to praise. Read how the repetition of everyday life becomes the basis for judging a person.
A suggested reading order
01 Start here
02 Read next
The Tale of the Recluse Eom엄처사전 · 嚴處士傳
A scholar studies to make his mother proud, then turns away from office after her death. Read about choosing between success recognized by society and a life guided by one's own commitments.
Care · Advancement9 min
03 Read next
The Tale of Gwangmun광문자전 · 廣文者傳
Gwangmun buries a dead child in an old straw mat. Read both the main account of how he earns people's trust and the later tale of what his growing reputation brings.
Trust · Reputation10 min