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
If a man is not good, what has he to do with the rules of propriety? If he is not good, what has he to do with music?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of goodness in determining one's relationship with societal norms and art.
Confucius suggests that without being a good person, one cannot fully engage with the rules that govern social behavior or the beauty of music. Goodness is seen as a prerequisite for appreciating and adhering to propriety and artistic expression, indicating that moral character fundamentally shapes our interaction with culture and community.
Themes
GoodnessProprietyMusicMoralitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on ethics, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of moral character.
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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