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
A gentleman is ashamed to let his words outrun his deeds.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true gentleman ensures that his actions match his words.
This quote by Confucius highlights the importance of integrity and accountability. It emphasizes that a person of good character is embarrassed when their statements are not supported by their actions, suggesting that one should always strive to align their words with their deeds to maintain respect and credibility.
Themes
IntegrityActionsWordsCharacterGentleman
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about leadership, one could use this quote to emphasize the need for leaders to act on their promises.
More from Confucius
All quotes βEarnest 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.
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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.
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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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