Skip to content

Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness…

“Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness and yet live, his escape from death is mere good fortune.” quote by Confucius
Download Open image
“Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness and yet live, his escape from death is mere good fortune.”

Confucius

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Uprightness is moral integrity; losing it makes life precarious, and survival becomes mere luck.

In simple terms: Moral integrity is essential; without it, life is fragile.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate integrity, not reliance on luck.

Themes

morality integrity fortune

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • personal conduct
  • leadership
  • public service

Key Concepts

Confucian ethics virtue ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you maintain integrity under pressure?
  • What role does luck play in moral decisions?
A Different Perspective

Integrity alone cannot guarantee safety; external risks persist.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Confucius

Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes

More Born quotes

Browse all 11,606 Born quotes