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
Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding societal norms is essential for building a strong character.
This quote by Confucius emphasizes the significance of propriety, or proper behavior, in shaping one's character. It suggests that without a grasp of the rules that govern social conduct, an individual cannot form a commendable and respectable character, highlighting the intertwining of ethics, culture, and personal development.
Themes
ProprietyCharacterEthicsConductSocial Norms
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, one might quote this to highlight the importance of ethical behavior.
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
Similar quotes
One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.
Simone De BeauvoirRead
No serious sociologist any longer believes that the voice of the people expresses any divine or specially wise and lofty idea. The voice of the people expresses the mind of the people, and that mind is made up for it by the group leaders in whom it believes and by those persons who understand the manipulation of public opinion. It is composed of inherited prejudices and symbols and clichΓ©s and verbal formulas supplied to them by the leaders.
Edward BernaysRead
None believes in his own death. In the unconscious everyone is convinced of his own immortality.
Sigmund FreudRead
If we are to survive, our loyalties must be broadened further, to include the whole human community, the entire planet Earth.
Carl SaganRead
To demand that a person pee in a cup whenever you wish him to, without a documented reason to suspect that he has been using an illegal drug, is intolerable in our republic. You are saying to him, "I wonder if you are not behaving in a way that I approve of. Convince me that you indeed are. Outrageous. Intolerable.
Alexander ShulginRead
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.
C. S. LewisRead