---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Master said, A gentleman, in his…"
description: "\"The Master said, A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a living. Even farming sometimes entails 5 tim..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg"
---

#  The Master said, A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the…

![“The Master said, A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a living. Even farming sometimes entails 5 times of shortage; and even learning may incidentally lead to high pay. But a gentleman's anxieties concern the progress of the Way; he has no anxiety…” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg)

> “The Master said, A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a living. Even farming sometimes entails 5 times of shortage; and even learning may incidentally lead to high pay. But a gentleman's anxieties concern the progress of the Way; he has no anxiety concerning poverty.”

[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 true gentleman prioritizes moral development over material concerns, trusting that proper conduct leads to prosperity.

**In simple terms:** Focus on virtue, not wealth.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate virtue first.

Themes

ethics philosophy self‑growth

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- career decisions
- financial planning
- education
- personal crises

Key Concepts

Confucianism moral duty

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance moral goals with financial needs?
- What practices keep you centered on the Way?

A Different Perspective

May be idealistic in harsh economic realities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) [Concerned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerned/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Farming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/farming/) [Farming Entails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/farming-entails-1657207/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Gentleman Anxieties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-anxieties-1657206/) [Gentleman Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman-plans-1657205/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Master Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master-said-351382/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planning/) [Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans/) [Plans Thinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans-thinks-1657208/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Salary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salary/) [Shortage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortage/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/)

## Related quotes

> [A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a living. Even farming sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-gentleman-in-his-plans-thinks-of-the-way-he-does-not-think-how-he/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, “The gentleman understands what is right, whereas the petty man understands profit.” (Analects 4.16)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-the-gentleman-understands-what-is-right-whereas-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, "A true teacher is one who, keeping the past alive, is also able to understand the present."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-a-true-teacher-is-one-who-keeping-the-past-alive-is/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Tsze-Kung asked, Is there one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life? The Master said, Is not Reciprocity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/tsze-kung-asked-is-there-one-word-which-may-serve-as-a-rule-of/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The master said, 'Quietly to store up knowledge in my mind, to learn without flagging, to teach without growing weary, these present me with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-quietly-to-store-up-knowledge-in-my-mind-to-learn/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, “What a worthy man was Yan Hui! Living in a narrow alley, subsisting upon meager bits of rice and water—other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-what-a-worthy-man-was-yan-hui-living-in-a-narrow/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, If out of the three hundred songs I had to take one phrase to cover all my teachings, I would say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-if-out-of-the-three-hundred-songs-i-had-to-take-one/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [A disciple having asked for a definition of charity, the Master said LOVE ONE ANOTHER.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-disciple-having-asked-for-a-definition-of-charity-the-master-said/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, "Wealth and honor are things that all people desire, and yet unless they are acquired in the proper way I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-wealth-and-honor-are-things-that-all-people-desire/)

[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/)

> [“The Master said, Guide the people by law, aline them by punishment; they may shun crime, but they will want shame. Guide them by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-guide-the-people-by-law-aline-them-by-punishment-they/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, "To study, and then in a timely fashion to practice what you have learned - is this not satisfying? To have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-to-study-and-then-in-a-timely-fashion-to-practice/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, “If your conduct is determined solely by considerations of profit you will arouse great resentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-if-your-conduct-is-determined-solely-by/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, I set my heart on the Way, base myself on virtue, lean upon benevolence for support and take my recreation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-i-set-my-heart-on-the-way-base-myself-on-virtue-lean/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The Master said, The case is like that of someone raising a mound. If he stops working, the fact that it perhaps needed only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-the-case-is-like-that-of-someone-raising-a-mound-if/)

[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? 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 Anxious quotes

> [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/)

[David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/)

> [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [According to Shakyamuni Buddha, it's normal for human beings to be anxious, because it's normal for human beings not to understand themselves. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reb-anderson/according-to-shakyamuni-buddha-it-s-normal-for-human-beings-to-be/)

[Reb Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reb-anderson/)

> [Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/be-lamps-unto-yourselves-be-refuges-unto-yourselves-take-yourself-no/)

[Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/)

> [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/)

[Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/)

> [I'd like to be able to do complex math in my head. Any kind of adversity and I become very anxious, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-woods/i-d-like-to-be-able-to-do-complex-math-in-my-head-any-kind-of/)

[Zach Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-woods/)

> [There were times when depression, anxiety, whatever, would keep me from writing. I still get depressed and anxious, but I just don't let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-st-john/there-were-times-when-depression-anxiety-whatever-would-keep-me-from/)

[David St. John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-st-john/)

> [The millennials were raised in a cocoon, their anxious parents afraid to let them go out in the park to play. So should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/the-millennials-were-raised-in-a-cocoon-their-anxious-parents-afraid/)

[Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/)

> [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [I'm a very anxious, nervy kind of loser in many ways, and I get very stressed and a little tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-weeks/i-m-a-very-anxious-nervy-kind-of-loser-in-many-ways-and-i-get-very/)

[Ed Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-weeks/)

> [Dogs seek attention from you. But by paying them that attention when they want it, you're reinforcing the bad or hyperactive or anxious behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/dogs-seek-attention-from-you-but-by-paying-them-that-attention-when/)

[Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/)

> [I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular. But I would like to think that at a crucial moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-anxious-to-be-the-loudest-voice-or-the-most-popular-but-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You simply can't be tentative in a startup. You have to go for it at every chance you get. And if the leader of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-wilson/you-simply-can-t-be-tentative-in-a-startup-you-have-to-go-for-it-at/)

[Fred Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-wilson/)

> [I - it's simply not for me to evaluate an independent rating agency's processes. But I will say that there was reason to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/i-it-s-simply-not-for-me-to-evaluate-an-independent-rating-agency-s/)

[Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/)

> [I don't understand why gay people are so anxious to get married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-margolyes/i-don-t-understand-why-gay-people-are-so-anxious-to-get-married/)

[Miriam Margolyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-margolyes/)

[Browse all 1,159 Anxious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The Master said, A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a living. Even farming sometimes entails 5 times of shortage; and even learning may incidentally lead to high pay. But a gentleman's anxieties concern the progress of the Way; he has no anxiety concerning poverty.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Confucius"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans-thinks-of-the-way-he-does/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anxious"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans-thinks-of-the-way-he-does/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23e/confucius-164_anxious_the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans_946553.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The Master said, A gentleman, in his plans, thinks of the Way; he does not think how he is going to make a…” — 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": "The Master said, A gentleman, in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans-thinks-of-the-way-he-does/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-master-said-a-gentleman-in-his-plans-thinks-of-the-way-he-does/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
