Junzi

The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.

— Junzi

What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature; an accordance with this nature is called The Path of duty; the regulation of this path is called Instruction. The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path. On this account, the superior man does not wait till he sees things, to be cautious, nor till he hears things, to be apprehensive.

— Junzi

There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.

— Junzi

The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret — It is only the sage who is able for this.

— Junzi

The way of the superior man may be found, in its simple elements, in the intercourse of common men and women; but in its utmost reaches, it shines brightly through Heaven and Earth.

— Junzi

The superior man governs men, according to their nature, with what is proper to them, and as soon as they change what is wrong, he stops.

— Junzi

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?

— Junzi

In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself.

— Junzi

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.

— Junzi

Sincerity is the end and beginning of things; without sincerity there would be nothing. On this account, the superior man regards the attainment of sincerity as the most excellent thing.

— Junzi

The superior man examines his heart, that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he may have no cause for dissatisfaction with himself. That wherein the superior man cannot be equaled is simply this — his work which other men cannot see.

— Junzi

The superior man, even when he is not moving, has a feeling of reverence, and while he speaks not, he has the feeling of truthfulness.

— Junzi

It is said in the Book of Poetry, "In silence is the offering presented, and the spirit approached to; there is not the slightest contention." Therefore the superior man does not use rewards, and the people are stimulated to virtue. He does not show anger, and the people are awed more than by hatchets and battle-axes.

— Junzi

All day long the superior man is creatively active.

— Junzi

The superior man falls back upon his inner worthHe does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.

— Junzi

The superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquityIn order to strengthen his character thereby.

— Junzi

Thus the superior man controls his angerAnd restrains his instincts.

— Junzi

Thus the superior man:If he has faults, he rids himself of them.

— Junzi

The superior man encourages the people at their work,And exhorts them to help one another.

— Junzi

Thus in fear and tremblingAnd examines himself.

— Junzi

Thus the superior manIn the light of the eternity of the end.

— Junzi

The superior man discusses criminal casesIn order to delay executions.

— Junzi