The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.
ConfuciusA person of character takes as much trouble to discover what is right as the lesser men take to discover what will pay.
ConfuciusWhile the gentleman cherishes benign rule, the small man cherishes his native land. While the gentleman cherishes a respect for the law, the small man cherishes generous treatment.
ConfuciusThe Master said, "Wealth and honor are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will not abide them. Poverty and disgrace are things that all people hate, and yet unless they are avoided in the proper way I will not despise them. If the gentleman abandons ren, how can he be worthy of that name? The gentleman does not violate ren even for the amount of time required to eat a meal. Even in times of urgency or distress, he does not depart from it."
Confucius