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
If I am virtuous and worthy, for whom should I not maintain a proper concern?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Virtue and worthiness demand that we care for others.
In this quote, Confucius emphasizes the importance of being virtuous and worthy, suggesting that these qualities compel an individual to maintain a concern for others. It implies that when one possesses moral integrity and value, they have a responsibility to care about the well-being of those around them, highlighting the interconnectedness of virtue and social responsibility.
Themes
VirtueWorthyConcernResponsibilityMoral
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on community service, one might use this quote to inspire altruism.
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
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Give a thing a name and it will somehow come to be.
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All social inequalities which have ceased to be considered expedient, assume the character not of simple inexpediency, but of injustice, and appear so tyrannical, that people are apt to wonder how they ever could have. been tolerated; forgetful that they themselves perhaps tolerate other inequalities under an equally mistaken notion of expediency, the correction of which would make that which they approve seem quite as monstrous as what they have at last learnt to condemn.
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