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 Master said, At fifteen I set my heart upon learning. At thirty, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities. At fifty, I knew what were the biddings of Heaven. At sixty, I heard them with docile ear. At seventy, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of righ.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the journey of personal growth and understanding through different stages of life.
Confucius's quote outlines the milestones of wisdom and self-awareness that accumulate throughout a person's life. Starting from a passion for learning in youth, moving through phases of stability and knowledge, he emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose, aligning desires with moral boundaries, and ultimately achieving a state of harmony with oneself and the universe by the age of seventy.
Themes
WisdomGrowthLearningLife StagesUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to inspire students about lifelong learning.
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.
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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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