simple food and drink; being content with a frugal life
Idiomatic expression from the Analects of Confucius, describing a life of simple, humble sustenance and contentment with little. Often used to praise a frugal, unworldly lifestyle.
He lives a hermit's life, enjoying simple food and drink.
I want to keep in mind the spirit of being content with a frugal life.
清貧 means 'honorable poverty' and is a more common, modern term for a simple, virtuous life without material excess. 一箪の食一瓢の飲 is a specific classical phrase with a stronger literary and Confucian flavor.
Standard kanji form of this idiomatic expression from the Analects of Confucius.
Variant kanji form using 簞 instead of 箪; both are acceptable.
From the Analects of Confucius, describing the disciple Yan Hui's contentment with a simple life: a bamboo dish of rice and a gourd of drink.