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
A man may not transgress the bounds of major morals, but may make errors in minor morals.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Individuals are bound by major moral principles but can make mistakes in less significant moral issues.
This quote reflects the idea that while there are fundamental moral laws that govern our behavior as responsible individuals, there is still room for personal interpretation and errors in the finer details of ethics. Confucius suggests that humans, being imperfect, may often err in minor moral matters, yet they must still adhere to the larger moral framework that guides their actions.
Themes
MoralityEthicsMistakesPrinciplesConfucius
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on ethics in a philosophy class.
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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