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
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The superior individual finds happiness and fulfillment within themselves, while the lesser individual relies on external validation.
This quote by Confucius illustrates a profound philosophical perspective on the nature of self-reliance and external validation. It suggests that truly admirable individuals focus on their inner qualities, values, and growth, while those who are less developed tend to seek approval and validation from others. This distinction speaks to the importance of self-discovery and personal integrity in leading a fulfilling life.
Themes
SelfValidationInner PeacePersonal GrowthSelf-Reliance
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-improvement.
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.
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
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