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
The way of the superior man may be compared to what takes place in traveling, when to go to a distance we must first traverse the space that is near, and in ascending a height, when we must begin from the lower ground.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that progress requires starting from where one is, addressing immediate challenges before tackling greater ones.
In this quote, Confucius illustrates that the journey of personal and spiritual growth mirrors the experience of travel. Just as a traveler must move through nearby spaces before reaching distant ones, a superior individual must first confront and overcome present challenges and lower grounds before aspiring to greater heights in life. This reflects the importance of foundational skills, knowledge, and experiences as prerequisites for achieving higher aspirations.
Themes
GrowthProgressJourneyChallengesAspiration
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about personal development.
More from Confucius
All quotes →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
There is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country.
Joseph AddisonRead
Human beings are no longer born to their place in life...but are free to employ their faculties and such favorable chances as offer, to achieve the lot which may appear to them as desirable.
John Stuart MillRead
How is it possible for one to own the stars?" "To whom do they belong?" the businessman retorted, peevishly. "I don't know. To nobody.
Antoine De Saint-ExuperyRead
If we have no heretics we must invent them, for heresy is essential to health and growth.
Yevgeny ZamyatinRead
There's not too many people that don't think I'm crazy, for walking away from so much money. I'm at a restaurant with my wife, it's a nice restaurant, we're eating dinner. I look across the room, I say, 'You see this guy over here, across the room? He has $100 million.' And we're eating the same entree. So, OK, fine, I don't have $50 million or whatever it was, but say I have $10 million in the bank. The difference in lifestyle is miniscule.
Dave ChappelleRead
There is little less trouble in governing a private family than a whole kingdom.
Michel De MontaigneRead