--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A superior man is modest in his speech…" description: "\"A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/confucius-164_action_a-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-b_1482468.jpg" --- # A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his… ![“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/confucius-164_action_a-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-b_1482468.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/confucius-164_action_a-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-b_1482468.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/confucius-164_action_a-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-b_1482468.jpg) > “A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A great person speaks modestly but acts beyond measure. **In simple terms:** Modest speech, great deeds. Key Takeaway Act louder than you speak. Themes humility action leadership integrity Mood respectful inspirational Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - community service - personal development Key Concepts Confucianism virtue ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you demonstrate competence without boasting? - When is humility a disadvantage? A Different Perspective Modesty can be mistaken for weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Superior man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-man/) ## Related quotes > [The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-modest-in-his-speech-but-exceeds-in-his-actions/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Be modest in speech, but excel in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/be-modest-in-speech-but-excel-in-action/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [The Chinese have an excellent proverb: "Be modest in speech, but excel in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-chinese-have-an-excellent-proverb-be-modest-in-speech-but-excel/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/in-peace-there-s-nothing-so-becomes-a-man-as-modest-stillness-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [At heart a truly modest man, he had nevertheless the modest man's pride in his modesty in the face of achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/at-heart-a-truly-modest-man-he-had-nevertheless-the-modest-man-s/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [It well becomes a young man to be modest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/it-well-becomes-a-young-man-to-be-modest/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [The superior man \* \* \* in regard to his speech \* \* \* is anxious that it should be sincere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-in-regard-to-his-speech-is-anxious-that-it-should-be/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-has-a-dignified-ease-without-pride-the-mean-man-has/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [When the Superior Man eats he does not try to stuff himself; at rest he does not seek perfect comfort; he is diligent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-the-superior-man-eats-he-does-not-try-to-stuff-himself-at-rest/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to-the-station-in-which-he-is-he/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-one-cultivates-to-the-utmost-the-principles-of-his-nature-and/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-acts-before-he-speaks-and-afterwards-speaks/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/therefore-the-superior-man-is-watchful-over-himself-when-he-is-alone/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, he cleaves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-does-not-even-for-the-space-of-a-single-meal-act/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More by Confucius > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Does Heaven ever speak? 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