--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That a man lives is because he is…" description: "\"That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/confucius-164_dupes_that-a-man-lives-is-because-he-is-straig_2084477.jpg" --- # That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who… ![“That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/confucius-164_dupes_that-a-man-lives-is-because-he-is-straig_2084477.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/confucius-164_dupes_that-a-man-lives-is-because-he-is-straig_2084477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/confucius-164_dupes_that-a-man-lives-is-because-he-is-straig_2084477.jpg) > “That a man lives is because he is straight. That a man who dupes others survives is because he has been fortunate enough to be spared.” [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 straight‑lived life is virtuous; deceitful survival depends on luck and being spared. **In simple terms:** Honesty leads to a good life; cheating relies on chance. Key Takeaway Choose integrity over convenience. Themes ethics integrity fortune Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - political power - personal ambition Key Concepts moral virtue luck survival strategies Questions to Reflect On - Is honesty always the safest path? - When is compromise justified? A Different Perspective Deceit can sometimes be socially rewarded. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [It's hard not to be the straight man when Zach Galifianakis is there. He's such a delightfully bizarre creature. Everything he does is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mckinnon/it-s-hard-not-to-be-the-straight-man-when-zach-galifianakis-is-there/) [Kate McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mckinnon/) > [If a straight man dresses well, chances are he's not straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-winkleman/if-a-straight-man-dresses-well-chances-are-he-s-not-straight/) [Claudia Winkleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-winkleman/) > [In my planet, fashion, I'm the only straight man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-cavalli/in-my-planet-fashion-i-m-the-only-straight-man/) [Roberto Cavalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-cavalli/) > [All jokes aside, it's a very difficult job playing the straight man. Jason is potentially the most brilliant straight man that ever was because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-arnett/all-jokes-aside-it-s-a-very-difficult-job-playing-the-straight-man/) [Will Arnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-arnett/) > [I've been a straight man for so many years that from force of habit I repeat everything. I went out fishing with a fellow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/i-ve-been-a-straight-man-for-so-many-years-that-from-force-of-habit-i/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [Because Buffy really has become the straight man, every once in a while it's nice to be the one that tells the joke and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-michelle-gellar/because-buffy-really-has-become-the-straight-man-every-once-in-a/) [Sarah Michelle Gellar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-michelle-gellar/) > [Although in Abbott and Costello, and straight man was first. That's a very interesting concept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-korman/although-in-abbott-and-costello-and-straight-man-was-first-that-s-a/) [Harvey Korman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-korman/) > [A lot of comedies, I think, make the wrong choice of having the straight man being this bland emotional conduit for the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-middleditch/a-lot-of-comedies-i-think-make-the-wrong-choice-of-having-the/) [Thomas Middleditch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-middleditch/) > [To a straight man, the notion of walking around as a coiffed, waxed, nail-polish-wearing, lispy dude is uproariously absurd. As people, we find absurdities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-crowder/to-a-straight-man-the-notion-of-walking-around-as-a-coiffed-waxed/) [Steven Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-crowder/) > [You've got to be a really straight man to write a song like 'It's Raining Men.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-shaffer/you-ve-got-to-be-a-really-straight-man-to-write-a-song-like-it-s/) [Paul Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-shaffer/) > [Of course, bring a straight man, it is intimidating to kiss another man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-mathur/of-course-bring-a-straight-man-it-is-intimidating-to-kiss-another-man/) [Arjun Mathur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-mathur/) > [The last time a straight man worked in the fashion industry, we got a fanny pack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/the-last-time-a-straight-man-worked-in-the-fashion-industry-we-got-a/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [Drag shows are one of my favorite things in the world. As a straight man I love going to gay bars. People at gay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-kazee/drag-shows-are-one-of-my-favorite-things-in-the-world-as-a-straight/) [Steve Kazee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-kazee/) > [Religion theme aside, most of the time I'm in some sort of comedy and I'm a straight man and it's really just, let's wind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-hanks/religion-theme-aside-most-of-the-time-i-m-in-some-sort-of-comedy-and/) [Colin Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-hanks/) > [Every straight man I know is a feminist. They wouldn't be my friends if they weren't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronee-blakley/every-straight-man-i-know-is-a-feminist-they-wouldn-t-be-my-friends/) [Ronee Blakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronee-blakley/) ## 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 Dupes quotes > [A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-forward-critic-often-dupes-us-with-sham-quotations-peri-hupsos-and/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Women are ever the dupes or the victims of their extreme sensitiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/women-are-ever-the-dupes-or-the-victims-of-their-extreme-sensitiveness/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Pessimists fear becoming the dupes of Hope. Optimists enjoy Hope's company, and consider being duped no great matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/pessimists-fear-becoming-the-dupes-of-hope-optimists-enjoy-hope-s/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The bonds between ourselves and another person exists only in our minds. Memory as it grows fainter loosens them, and notwithstanding the illusion by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/the-bonds-between-ourselves-and-another-person-exists-only-in-our/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [The human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood works, is so decked out with deceiving hypocrisy, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/the-human-heart-has-so-many-crannies-where-vanity-hides-so-many-holes/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Ratings agencies are highly conflicted, unimaginative dupes. They are blissfully unaware of adverse selection and moral hazard. Investors should never trust them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/ratings-agencies-are-highly-conflicted-unimaginative-dupes-they-are/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [Let nothing dupe you! Such is the horrible maxim that acts as a solvent upon every noble feeling man experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/let-nothing-dupe-you-such-is-the-horrible-maxim-that-acts-as-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The weak-minded man is the slave of his vices and the dupe of his virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/the-weak-minded-man-is-the-slave-of-his-vices-and-the-dupe-of-his/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) > [When the Gauls laid waste Rome, they found the senators clothed in their robes, and seated in stern tranquillity in their curule chairs; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/when-the-gauls-laid-waste-rome-they-found-the-senators-clothed-in/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/excessive-partiality-for-one-foreign-nation-and-excessive-dislike-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [In vain we shall penetrate more and more deeply the secrets of the structure of the human body, we shall not dupe nature; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/in-vain-we-shall-penetrate-more-and-more-deeply-the-secrets-of-the/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [The credulity of dupes is as inexhaustible as the invention of knaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/the-credulity-of-dupes-is-as-inexhaustible-as-the-invention-of-knaves/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Extraordinarily excessive sensuality it may be .. but it all comes down to the same thing in the end, and one means is surely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remy-de-gourmont/extraordinarily-excessive-sensuality-it-may-be-but-it-all-comes-down/) [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) > [A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demosthenes/a-man-is-his-own-easiest-dupe-for-what-he-wishes-to-be-true-he/) [Demosthenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demosthenes/) > [PHRENOLOGY, n. The science of picking the pocket through the scalp. It consists in locating and exploiting the organ that one is a dupe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/phrenology-n-the-science-of-picking-the-pocket-through-the-scalp-it/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) Browse all 72 Dupes quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That a man lives is because he is straight. 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