--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are three marks of a superior man…" description: "\"There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety; being wise, he is free from perplexity; being brave, he is free from ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/confucius-164_anxiety_there-are-three-marks-of-a-superior-man_2022969.jpg" --- # There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous… ![“There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety; being wise, he is free from perplexity; being brave, he is free from fear.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/confucius-164_anxiety_there-are-three-marks-of-a-superior-man_2022969.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/confucius-164_anxiety_there-are-three-marks-of-a-superior-man_2022969.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/confucius-164_anxiety_there-are-three-marks-of-a-superior-man_2022969.jpg) > “There are three marks of a superior man: being virtuous, he is free from anxiety; being wise, he is free from perplexity; being brave, he is free from fear.” [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 superior person cultivates virtue, wisdom, and courage, each freeing them from anxiety, confusion, and fear respectively. **In simple terms:** Virtue, wisdom, and courage free one from inner turmoil. Key Takeaway Cultivate virtue, wisdom, courage. Themes ethics philosophy personal development Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - education - personal decision - conflict resolution Key Concepts moral psychology stoicism confucianism Questions to Reflect On - Which of these qualities do you need to develop most? - How can you practice courage daily? A Different Perspective Balancing all three traits can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Being wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-wise/) [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Perplexity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perplexity/) [Superior man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-man/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [The way of the superior person is threefold; virtuous, they are free from anxieties; wise they are free from perplexities; and bold they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-way-of-the-superior-person-is-threefold-virtuous-they-are-free/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [One of the marks of superior people is that they are action-oriented. One of the marks of average people is that they are talk-oriented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/one-of-the-marks-of-superior-people-is-that-they-are-action-oriented/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of our fellow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-a-virtuous-and-free-state-no-rewards-can-be-so-pleasing-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The wise are free from perplexities; the virtuous from anxiety; and the bold from fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-wise-are-free-from-perplexities-the-virtuous-from-anxiety-and-the/) [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 one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-one-cultivates-to-the-utmost-the-principles-of-his-nature-and/) [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/) > [The superior man has a dignified ease without pride. The mean man has pride without a dignified ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-has-a-dignified-ease-without-pride-the-mean-man-has/) [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. 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 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/) ## 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. 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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 Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. 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