“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”
James Legge (1815–1897) missionary in China
Bk. 14, Ch. 29 (p. 208)
Translations, The Confucian Analects
“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”
James Legge translation.
Variant translations: The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.
The greater man does not boast of himself, But does what he must do.
A good man does not give orders, but leads by example.
The Analects, Chapter I, Chapter IV
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Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher -551–-479 BCRelated quotes
Confucius (-551–-479 BC) Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher
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Context: 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. Thus his words have respect to his actions, and his actions have respect to his words; is it not just an entire sincerity which marks the superior man?
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