The man of wisdom delights in water; the man of humanity delights in mountains. The man of wisdom is active; the man of humanity is tranquil. The man of wisdom enjoys happiness; the man of humanity enjoys long life.

–Confucius, Analects, Book 6

At first blush, I thought that Confucius was somehow putting Wisdom versus humanity in a competition to prove that one was somehow better than the other. But after thinking on it, I believe he is saying that the two act as complements to one another, that human fulfillment is attained by combining the strength of each.

I have attached this passage to the painting shown at the right, Garden of Delights. It is a 36″ by 18″ canvas that is included in my Eye in the Sky exhibit now showing at the West End Gallery.

I think the Red Tree here represents all the facets that Confucius laid out. Delighting in all nature– mountains and water, trees and flowers. Active in the world yet tranquil within. Filled with the joy of happiness and of being alive.

It appears to me as a painting of fulfillment attained.

And there is delight in that for me, both as a human and as the painter of this piece.

All I can ask of it.

Here’s a song that isn’t really about reaching any level of personal fulfillment but does mention a Garden of Delight. Actually, a nightclub/bordello named the Garden of Earthly Delights.

There are a lot of paths you can take on the way to fulfillment, right? Doesn’t matter where you start. It’s where you end up that counts.

Here’s Entella Hotel from Peter Case.