--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A true gentleman makes demands upon…" description: "\"A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg" --- # A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon… ![“A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg) > “A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.” [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 gentleman sets high standards for himself while allowing others freedom, fostering humility and respect. **In simple terms:** Set personal standards, respect others. Key Takeaway Focus on self‑improvement. Themes humility respect self‑discipline Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - teamwork - parenting - friendship Key Concepts Confucian ethics personal integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑expectations with empathy? - What standards do you set for yourself versus others? A Different Perspective May overlook others' needs if too self‑focused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Demands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demands/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentleman Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-makes-6119162/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Makes Demands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes-demands-1693328/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [True gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-gentleman/) ## Related quotes > [Communication always makes demands. It always demands that the recipient become somebody, do something, believe something. It always appeals to motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/communication-always-makes-demands-it-always-demands-that-the/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [ I have found, and most artists are probably this way, that \[when\] you're working on some kind of idea, the idea makes demands. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-stuart/i-have-found-and-most-artists-are-probably-this-way-that-when-you-re/) [Michelle Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-stuart/) > [“The belly will not listen to advice; it makes demands, it importunes. And yet it is not a troublesome creditor; you can send it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/the-belly-will-not-listen-to-advice-it-makes-demands-it-importunes/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [The true gentleman does not preach what he practices till he has practiced what he preaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-true-gentleman-does-not-preach-what-he-practices-till-he-has/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The Master said, “A true gentleman is one who has set his heart upon the Way. A fellow who is ashamed merely of shabby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-a-true-gentleman-is-one-who-has-set-his-heart-upon/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Christ was the first true democrat that ever breathed, as the old dramatist Dekkar said he was the first true gentleman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/christ-was-the-first-true-democrat-that-ever-breathed-as-the-old/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Steve Carell is such a non-tech person. He actually communicates with people. He actually asks people how they're doing and makes friends and learns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bj-novak/steve-carell-is-such-a-non-tech-person-he-actually-communicates-with/) [BJ Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bj-novak/) > [I've never heard my dad say a bad word about anybody. He always keeps his emotions in check and is a true gentleman. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-jackman/i-ve-never-heard-my-dad-say-a-bad-word-about-anybody-he-always-keeps/) [Hugh Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-jackman/) > [a true gentleman ... was characterized as the man that asks the fewest questions. This trait of refined society might be adopted into home-like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/a-true-gentleman-was-characterized-as-the-man-that-asks-the-fewest/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Being a true gentleman never goes out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-a-true-gentleman-never-goes-out-of-style/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [True gentleman do still exist. They're just attracted to ladies, not trashy girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/true-gentleman-do-still-exist-they-re-just-attracted-to-ladies-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Style is indeed the valet of genius, and an able one too; but as the true gentleman will appear, even in rags, so true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/style-is-indeed-the-valet-of-genius-and-an-able-one-too-but-as-the/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [There are many true ladies, and they differ somewhat from society generally. So does a true gentleman, on the same principle of refinement and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-jane-mcintosh/there-are-many-true-ladies-and-they-differ-somewhat-from-society/) [Maria Jane McIntosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-jane-mcintosh/) > [I never enjoyed my work more than when I worked with William Powell. He was a brilliant actor, a delightful companion, a great friend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myrna-loy/i-never-enjoyed-my-work-more-than-when-i-worked-with-william-powell/) [Myrna Loy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myrna-loy/) > [A true gentleman never leaves his lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessandro-del-piero/a-true-gentleman-never-leaves-his-lady/) [Alessandro Del Piero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessandro-del-piero/) ## 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? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) [Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More Demand quotes > [Our times demand the declaration of the world's resources as the common heritage of all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/our-times-demand-the-declaration-of-the-world-s-resources-as-the/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) [Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/) > [If a person does not listen to the demands of their own spiritual and heart life and insists on a certain program, you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/if-a-person-does-not-listen-to-the-demands-of-their-own-spiritual-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [My dogs can't do anything--and what a relief. I don't make any demands of them, and I don't try to shape them or their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-chua/my-dogs-can-t-do-anything-and-what-a-relief-i-don-t-make-any-demands/) [Amy Chua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-chua/) > [The trouble is. . .that everybody sneers at restrictions and demands freedom, till something annoying happens; then they demand angrily what has become of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/the-trouble-is-that-everybody-sneers-at-restrictions-and-demands/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [You be greater than your feelings. I don't demand this of you - life does. Otherwise you'll be washed away by feelings. You'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/you-be-greater-than-your-feelings-i-don-t-demand-this-of-you-life/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [Christianity does not oppose debauchery and uncontrollable passions and the like as much as it opposes... flat mediocrity, this nauseating atmosphere, this homey, civil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/christianity-does-not-oppose-debauchery-and-uncontrollable-passions/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [It is an interesting law of romance that a truly strong woman will choose a strong man who disagrees with her over a weak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-is-an-interesting-law-of-romance-that-a-truly-strong-woman-will/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [If we get better our customers will demand we get bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/if-we-get-better-our-customers-will-demand-we-get-bigger/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) > [Money should be ones demand and command one should not become slave of money..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/money-should-be-ones-demand-and-command-one-should-not-become-slave/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [Most enjoyable activities are not natural; they demand an effort that initially one is reluctant to make. But once the interaction starts to provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/most-enjoyable-activities-are-not-natural-they-demand-an-effort-that/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/) [Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/) [Browse all 3,809 Demand quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-himself-but-not-upon-others/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Demand" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-himself-but-not-upon-others/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/confucius-164_demand_a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-hims_798536.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A true gentleman makes demands upon himself but not upon others.” — Confucius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Confucius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A true gentleman makes demands upon...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-himself-but-not-upon-others/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-true-gentleman-makes-demands-upon-himself-but-not-upon-others/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```