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 way of the superior man may be compared to what takes place in traveling, when to go to a distance we must first traverse the space that is near, and in ascending a height, when we must begin from the lower ground.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that progress requires starting from where one is, addressing immediate challenges before tackling greater ones.
In this quote, Confucius illustrates that the journey of personal and spiritual growth mirrors the experience of travel. Just as a traveler must move through nearby spaces before reaching distant ones, a superior individual must first confront and overcome present challenges and lower grounds before aspiring to greater heights in life. This reflects the importance of foundational skills, knowledge, and experiences as prerequisites for achieving higher aspirations.
Themes
GrowthProgressJourneyChallengesAspiration
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about personal development.
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.
ConfuciusRead
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
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