--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The superior man * * * in regard to his…" description: "\"The superior man * * * in regard to his speech * * * is anxious that it should be sincere.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/confucius-164_anxious_the-superior-man-in-regard-to-his-speech_439356.jpg" --- # The superior man \* \* \* in regard to his speech \* \* \* is… ![“The superior man * * * in regard to his speech * * * is anxious that it should be sincere.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/confucius-164_anxious_the-superior-man-in-regard-to-his-speech_439356.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/confucius-164_anxious_the-superior-man-in-regard-to-his-speech_439356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/confucius-164_anxious_the-superior-man-in-regard-to-his-speech_439356.jpg) > “The superior man \* \* \* in regard to his speech \* \* \* is anxious that it should be sincere.” [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 leader cares deeply that his words are genuine and reflects his inner integrity. **In simple terms:** Sincere speech shows good character. Key Takeaway Speak honestly and align words with actions. Themes integrity speech leadership morality Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - political discourse - personal relationships Key Concepts confucian ethics authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure honesty in difficult conversations? - What risks arise from insincere speech? A Different Perspective Sincerity can be hard to maintain under pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Regard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regard/) [Regard Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regard-speech-3856436/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincere/) [Sincerity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincerity/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Speech Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech-anxious-3856435/) [Superior man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-man/) [Superiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superiors/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/what-the-superior-man-seeks-is-in-himself-what-the-small-man-seeks-is/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-satisfied-and-composed-the-mean-man-is-always/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [There are three things which the superior man guards against. 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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/) > [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, extensively studying all learning, and keeping himself under the restraint of the rules of propriety, may thus likewise not overstep what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-extensively-studying-all-learning-and-keeping/) [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. 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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. 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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. 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