--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are three things to beware of…" description: "\"There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg" --- # There are three things to beware of through life: when a… ![“There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg) > “There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.” [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. Warns that different life stages bring distinct moral risks: youthful desire, middle‑age passion, old‑age greed **In simple terms:** Different ages bring different temptations Key Takeaway Guard against desire, passion, and greed at each age Themes ethics self‑control aging Mood reflective serious Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - personal finance planning - career counseling - elder care programs - family discussions Key Concepts virtue ethics psychology of desire moral development Questions to Reflect On - What modern “appetites” threaten youth today? - How can societies support ethical aging? A Different Perspective Advice may be too generalized for modern complexities ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appetite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite/) [Appetites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetites/) [Covetousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/covetousness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Middle aged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-aged/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) ## Related quotes > [“Good friends, beware! the only life we know Flies from us like an arrow from the bow, The caravan of life is moving by,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-le-gallienne/good-friends-beware-the-only-life-we-know-flies-from-us-like-an-arrow/) [Richard Le Gallienne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-le-gallienne/) > [When people are finding meaning in things -- beware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/when-people-are-finding-meaning-in-things-beware/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [There are three things against which the wise man guards: lust when young, quarrels when strong, and covetousness when old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-against-which-the-wise-man-guards-lust-when/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [There are three things which the superior man guards against. In youth ... lust. When he is strong ... quarrelsomeness. When he is old ... covetousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-which-the-superior-man-guards-against-in-youth/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Many people submit to excessive appetites without realizing that they do not need to eat so much food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-smith/many-people-submit-to-excessive-appetites-without-realizing-that-they/) [Kate Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-smith/) > [“Any darkness that comes out in my life is the fruit of my own appetites, and it's my choice either to feed or starve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hall/any-darkness-that-comes-out-in-my-life-is-the-fruit-of-my-own/) [Mark Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hall/) > [“Fire, slavery, cloth, coin, and stone - these are the basis of civilized life. Sometimes it happens that one or another of them gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/fire-slavery-cloth-coin-and-stone-these-are-the-basis-of-civilized/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“Was it a form of madness, no longer to be able to trust your sense of things? To be betrayed by decisions apparently arrived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-russell/was-it-a-form-of-madness-no-longer-to-be-able-to-trust-your-sense-of/) [Paul Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-russell/) > [We are more than a collection of appetites - we are of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/we-are-more-than-a-collection-of-appetites-we-are-of-god/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Speak of the appetite for drink; or of a bon-vivant's relish for dinner! What are these mere animal throes and ragings compared with those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/speak-of-the-appetite-for-drink-or-of-a-bon-vivant-s-relish-for/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Our appetites, of one or another kind, are excellent spurs to our reason, which might otherwise but feebly set about the great ends of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/our-appetites-of-one-or-another-kind-are-excellent-spurs-to-our/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [“The sparks are getting hungrier every day, but controlling appetites is what separates man from beast. I shall wait until”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-faust/the-sparks-are-getting-hungrier-every-day-but-controlling-appetites/) [Christa Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-faust/) > [Christianity has aimed to deliver us from a life determined by nature, from the appetites as actuating us, and so has meant that man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-stirner/christianity-has-aimed-to-deliver-us-from-a-life-determined-by-nature/) [Max Stirner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-stirner/) > [The lust to meet authors ranks low, I think, on the roll of holy appetites; but it is an authentic pang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/the-lust-to-meet-authors-ranks-low-i-think-on-the-roll-of-holy/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [“Though Jones had formerly believed himself in the very prime of youth and vigor, his first encounter with Lady Bellaston both vexed and puzzled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/though-jones-had-formerly-believed-himself-in-the-very-prime-of-youth/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) ## 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 Appetite quotes > [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [the appetite for thinking must be regulated, as all sensible people know, for it may stifle one's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/the-appetite-for-thinking-must-be-regulated-as-all-sensible-people/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [“if you cannot control your hunger and appetite, good luck managing your blood chemistry, metabolism, waistline, and, in the bigger picture, the prospect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-perlmutter/if-you-cannot-control-your-hunger-and-appetite-good-luck-managing/) [David Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-perlmutter/) > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [My curiosity and my appetite for evolving as an actor is one of the main components of me still working today in the business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-cattrall/my-curiosity-and-my-appetite-for-evolving-as-an-actor-is-one-of-the/) [Kim Cattrall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-cattrall/) > [I have a strong appetite and its not for food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-a-strong-appetite-and-its-not-for-food/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The plain fact is that education is itself a form of propaganda - a deliberate scheme to outfit the pupil, not with the capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-plain-fact-is-that-education-is-itself-a-form-of-propaganda-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You should also eat eggs. Not “one egg per week” or some such non-physiologic restriction. Eat what your body tells you to eat, since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-davis/you-should-also-eat-eggs-not-one-egg-per-week-or-some-such-non/) [William Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-davis/) > [If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-your-desires-are-not-great-a-little-will-seem-much-to-you-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are servants, men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/when-passions-and-appetites-are-stronger-than-the-intellect-men-are/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [A pivotal spiritual attribute is that of self-mastery-th e strength to place reason over appetite. Self-mastery builds a strong conscience. And your conscience determines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-m-nelson/a-pivotal-spiritual-attribute-is-that-of-self-mastery-th-e-strength/) [Russell M. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-m-nelson/) > [The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-commonest-and-cheapest-sounds-as-the-barking-of-a-dog-produce-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 994 Appetite quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appetite/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when he is middle-aged, of his passions; and when old, of covetousness, especially.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-through-life-when-a-man-is-young/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Appetite" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-through-life-when-a-man-is-young/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/confucius-164_appetite_there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-thro_668275.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are three things to beware of through life: when a man is young, let him beware of his appetites; when…” — 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": "There are three things to beware...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-through-life-when-a-man-is-young/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-are-three-things-to-beware-of-through-life-when-a-man-is-young/#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 } } ] } ```