--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The superior man understands what is…" description: "\"The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/confucius-164_business_the-superior-man-understands-what-is-rig_1878998.jpg" --- # The superior man understands what is right; the inferior… ![“The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/confucius-164_business_the-superior-man-understands-what-is-rig_1878998.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/confucius-164_business_the-superior-man-understands-what-is-rig_1878998.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/confucius-164_business_the-superior-man-understands-what-is-rig_1878998.jpg) > “The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.” [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. Moral insight is superior to market appeal; ethical understanding outweighs profit motives. **In simple terms:** Rightness beats profit. Key Takeaway Seek ethical truth over popularity. Themes ethics integrity wisdom Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - business decisions - political campaigns - personal choices - education Key Concepts moral philosophy social critique Questions to Reflect On - When does profit align with moral good? - Can ethical actions be profitable? A Different Perspective Profit motives can sometimes fund beneficial outcomes, complicating the dichotomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Inferior Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inferior-man-611523/) [Man U](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-u/) [Man Understands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-understands-315191/) [Superior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior/) [Superior man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-man/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Understands Sell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understands-sell-2641076/) ## Related quotes > [The superior man is all-embracing and not partial. The inferior man is partial and not all-embracing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-all-embracing-and-not-partial-the-inferior-man-is/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-aware-of-righteousness-the-inferior-man-is-aware/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man loves his soul; the inferior man loves his property.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-loves-his-soul-the-inferior-man-loves-his-property/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is universally minded and no partisan. The inferior man is a partisan and not universal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-universally-minded-and-no-partisan-the-inferior/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is easy to serve, but difficult to please ... The inferior man is difficult to serve, but easy to please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-easy-to-serve-but-difficult-to-please-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The proper man understands equity, the small man profits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-proper-man-understands-equity-the-small-man-profits/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he does not desire to go beyond this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-does-what-is-proper-to-the-station-in-which-he-is-he-2/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the opportunities of Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-quiet-and-calm-waiting-for-the-opportunities-of/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man limits his achievements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-limits-his-achievements/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [A superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything. He follows righteousness as the standard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-superior-man-in-dealing-with-the-world-is-not-for-anything-or/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [A superior man is one who is free from fear and anxieties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-superior-man-is-one-who-is-free-from-fear-and-anxieties/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is firm in the right way and not merely firm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-firm-in-the-right-way-and-not-merely-firm/) [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/) > [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/) ## 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 Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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