QuoteProject
Don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.
Confucius
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Focus on your own issues rather than criticizing others.

This quote by Confucius emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and personal responsibility. It suggests that before pointing out the flaws or problems of others, one should first address their own shortcomings. This principle encourages individuals to cultivate their own character and behavior rather than being preoccupied with the faults of those around them.

Themes

Self-ReflectionResponsibilityCriticismCharacterCleanliness

In practice

Example use cases

In a team meeting, to encourage personal accountability: 'Remember, don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.'

More from Confucius

Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
ConfuciusRead
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
ConfuciusRead
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
ConfuciusRead
The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
ConfuciusRead
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
ConfuciusRead

Similar quotes

Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.
Ambrose BierceRead
liberty, which means resisting all forms of cultural authoritarianism, be it from the right wing church, black ideologues, black nationalists, or mainstream white media. We have to accent liberty and freedom of expression and thought in all their forms.
Cornel WestRead
You had to deal every day with people who were foolish and lazy and untruthful and downright unpleasant, and you could certainly end up thinking that the world would be considerably improved if you gave them a slap.
Terry PratchettRead
The incomparable greatness of the religions of the East lies in their having been second to none in vibrating with the passion for unity. This note, which is essential to every form of mysticism, has even penetrated them so deeply that we find ourselves falling under a spell simply by uttering the names of their Gods.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
But he found that a traveller's life is one that includes much pain amidst its enjoyments. His feelings are for ever on the stretch; and when he begins to sink into repose, he finds himself obliged to quit that on which he rests in pleasure for something new, which again engages his attention, and which also he forsakes for other novelties.
Mary Wollstonecraft ShelleyRead
We are not afraid of predators, we're transfixed by them, prone to weave stories and fables and chatter endlessly about them, because fascination creates preparedness, and preparedness, survival. In a deeply tribal way, we love our monsters.
E. O. WilsonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.