--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The superior man does what is proper to…" description: "\"The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/confucius-164_desire_the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to_331800.jpg" --- # The superior man does what is proper to the station in… ![“The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/confucius-164_desire_the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to_331800.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/confucius-164_desire_the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to_331800.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dba/confucius-164_desire_the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to_331800.jpg) > “The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this. In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper to a poor and low position.” [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 virtuous person acts according to the role and circumstances they occupy, without overreaching or neglecting duty. **In simple terms:** Do what fits your role, no more, no less. Key Takeaway Match actions to status. Themes virtue role moderation Mood respectful balanced Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - family life - public service - personal conduct Key Concepts Confucian ethics social harmony Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance duty with self‑development? - When is it right to challenge your role? A Different Perspective May ignore personal growth by over‑conforming. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Superior man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-man/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [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 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/) > [The superior man has nothing to compete for. But if he must compete, he does it in an archery match, wherein he ascends to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-has-nothing-to-compete-for-but-if-he-must-compete-he/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man undergoes three changes. Looked at from a distance, he appears stern; when approached, he is mild; when he is heard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-undergoes-three-changes-looked-at-from-a-distance-he/) [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 \* \* \* 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/) > [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/) > [He who prides himself upon wealth and honor hastens his own downfall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-prides-himself-upon-wealth-and-honor-hastens-his-own-downfall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Character is power; it makes friends, draws patronage and support and opens the way to wealth, honor and happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howe/character-is-power-it-makes-friends-draws-patronage-and-support-and/) [John Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howe/) > [My daily affairs are quite ordinary; but I'm in total harmony with them. I don't hold on to anything, don't reject anything; nowhere an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layman-pang/my-daily-affairs-are-quite-ordinary-but-i-m-in-total-harmony-with/) [Layman Pang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layman-pang/) > [Goods and possessions are no gain in his eyes. He stays far from wealth and honor. Long life is no ground for joy, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/goods-and-possessions-are-no-gain-in-his-eyes-he-stays-far-from/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [Man's obsession to add to his wealth and honor is the chief source of his misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-s-obsession-to-add-to-his-wealth-and-honor-is-the-chief-source-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no poverty where there is character, and no wealth or honor where character is missing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/there-is-no-poverty-where-there-is-character-and-no-wealth-or-honor/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [A good example is a better legacy for children than wealth or honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-simmons/a-good-example-is-a-better-legacy-for-children-than-wealth-or-honor/) [Charles Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-simmons/) > [After an inferior man has been taught a doctrine of superiority he will remain as inferior as he was before his lesson. He will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-szandor-lavey/after-an-inferior-man-has-been-taught-a-doctrine-of-superiority-he/) [Anton Szandor LaVey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-szandor-lavey/) ## 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. 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He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. 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