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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of integrity and moderation in both actions and speech.
In this quote, Confucius highlights the virtues of a superior person who diligently practices ordinary virtues while being mindful of their words. This individual acknowledges their flaws and strives for self-improvement, recognizing the need to maintain balance and avoid excesses in both conduct and expression.
Themes
VirtueIntegritySelf-ImprovementModerationWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar when discussing the importance of honesty and accountability.
More from Confucius
All quotes βWhen you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
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Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
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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.
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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
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An angry man is full of poison.
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