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
Just as lavishness leads easily to presumption, so does frugality to meanness. But meanness is a far less serious fault than presumption.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Excessive extravagance can lead to arrogance, while being overly frugal can result in stinginess; however, being mean is a lesser flaw than being presumptuous.
In this quote, Confucius highlights the dangers of two extremes: lavishness and frugality. He warns that indulgence and extravagance can produce a sense of superiority and entitlement, while being excessively frugal can lead to a lack of generosity and compassion. However, he asserts that while both traits can be problematic, the act of being presumptuous is a more serious moral failing than simply being mean. This insight emphasizes the importance of balance and moderation in one's behavior and attitudes.
Themes
LavishnessPresumptionFrugalityMeannessBalance
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal finance, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of balance in spending.
More from Confucius
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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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