The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.
business man rights
The object of the superior man is truth.
man truth
Never contract friendship with a man that is not better than thyself.
friendship man
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
action excellence man speech
The superior man thinks always of virtue; the common man thinks of comfort.
man virtue virtues
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.
ability man men suffering
For this reason the gentleman will employ a man on a distant mission and observe his degree of loyalty, will employ him close at hand and observe his degree of respect. He will hand him troublesome affairs and observe how well he manages them, will suddenly ask his advice and observe how wisely he answers. He will exact some difficult promise from him and see how well he keeps it, turn over funds to him and see with what benevolence he dispenses them, inform him of the danger he is in and note how faithful he is to his duties. He will get him drunk with wine and observe how well he handles himself, place him in mixed company and see what effect beauty has upon him. By applying these nine tests, you may determine who is the unworthy man.
man unworthy worthy
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.
change man men nature wrongs
The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration.
business man success virtues
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.
man theend
Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself!
man
The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.
The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
action man
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.
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.
man men women