--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I am with others, they are my…" description: "\"When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/confucius-164_i-can_when-i-am-with-others-they-are-my-teache_350363.jpg" --- # When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select… ![“When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/confucius-164_i-can_when-i-am-with-others-they-are-my-teache_350363.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/confucius-164_i-can_when-i-am-with-others-they-are-my-teache_350363.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/436/confucius-164_i-can_when-i-am-with-others-they-are-my-teache_350363.jpg) > “When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.” [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. Observe others to learn virtues and avoid faults, using them as living teachers. **In simple terms:** Learn from others' good and bad. Key Takeaway Model good traits, avoid bad ones. Themes learning modeling self‑improvement Mood thoughtful instructive Type philosophical wisdom When to use this quote - education - mentorship - personal development Key Concepts confucianism observational learning Questions to Reflect On - Which traits will you adopt or reject? - How can you discern genuine virtue? A Different Perspective Not all observed behavior is intentional or healthy to emulate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good Points](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-points-673331/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) [Points Avoid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/points-avoid-1282176/) [Points Follow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/points-follow-3237263/) [Select](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/select/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) [Teachers Select](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers-select-3237262/) ## Related quotes > [In Judaism or Christianity and so forth, you invent rules that don't exist anywhere except in your imagination. You spend your life trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/in-judaism-or-christianity-and-so-forth-you-invent-rules-that-don-t/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/being-in-humaneness-is-good-if-we-select-other-goodness-and-thus-are/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [It is healthier to see the good points of others than to analyze our own bad ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-sagan/it-is-healthier-to-see-the-good-points-of-others-than-to-analyze-our/) [Francoise Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-sagan/) > [No, I mean it. Lucifer has his good points, too. For one thing, he... Well, sometimes he... Hmmm. There must be something good about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/disney-princess/no-i-mean-it-lucifer-has-his-good-points-too-for-one-thing-he-well/) [Disney Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/disney-princess/) > [“His plan has good points and bad points...as any plan would at this stage. A plan depends as much upon execution as it does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/his-plan-has-good-points-and-bad-points-as-any-plan-would-at-this/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [“It's tough, him getting it like that. Miles had his faults same as the rest of us, but I guess he must've had some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/it-s-tough-him-getting-it-like-that-miles-had-his-faults-same-as-the/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Let's cease thinking of our accomplishments, our wants. Let's try to figure out the other man's good points. Then forget flattery. Give honest, sincere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/let-s-cease-thinking-of-our-accomplishments-our-wants-let-s-try-to/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse. So we are forced to accept democracy. It has good points and also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jawaharlal-nehru/democracy-is-good-i-say-this-because-other-systems-are-worse-so-we/) [Jawaharlal Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jawaharlal-nehru/) > [One day, someone who'll understand your good points and bad points, but who'll love you just the same, will appear in your life. Mark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakura-tsukuba/one-day-someone-who-ll-understand-your-good-points-and-bad-points-but/) [Sakura Tsukuba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakura-tsukuba/) > [I like to bitch and moan about lawyers, but they often have actually good points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gosling/i-like-to-bitch-and-moan-about-lawyers-but-they-often-have-actually/) [James Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gosling/) > [Why, man alive, Laura! Just look about you a little. What do you see? A world full of common people! All of 'em born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/why-man-alive-laura-just-look-about-you-a-little-what-do-you-see-a/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [I've never trusted toadstools, but I suppose some must have their good points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheshire-cat/i-ve-never-trusted-toadstools-but-i-suppose-some-must-have-their-good/) [Cheshire Cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheshire-cat/) > [When you beat Arsenal, they are a good three points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-robson/when-you-beat-arsenal-they-are-a-good-three-points/) [Bryan Robson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-robson/) > [Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their good points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-they-have-their-good-points/) [Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/) > [When I was a young player, I would look at players and think, he does this well, and try and pick up good points…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-gough/when-i-was-a-young-player-i-would-look-at-players-and-think-he-does/) [Richard Gough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-gough/) ## 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 I can quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [I always step on the plane with my right foot and touch the outside of the plane with my left hand. Sometimes you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-davis/i-always-step-on-the-plane-with-my-right-foot-and-touch-the-outside/) [Hope Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-davis/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [From my experience of having served for 3000 days, I can say that anything can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/from-my-experience-of-having-served-for-3000-days-i-can-say-that/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [I take the responsibility of playing another ethnicity very, very seriously, and I promise myself and those people that I will represent them with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cliff-curtis/i-take-the-responsibility-of-playing-another-ethnicity-very-very/) [Cliff Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cliff-curtis/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I'm Catholic and I can't commit suicide, but I plan to drink myself to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-m-catholic-and-i-can-t-commit-suicide-but-i-plan-to-drink-myself-to/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [I remember my friend Johnny von Neumann used to say, 'with four parameters I can fit an elephant and with five I can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrico-fermi/i-remember-my-friend-johnny-von-neumann-used-to-say-with-four/) [Enrico Fermi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrico-fermi/) > [I recognize I am essentially a failed human being in the sense that I can't possibly live up to the expectations of an Almighty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-recognize-i-am-essentially-a-failed-human-being-in-the-sense-that-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) [Browse all 24,836 I can quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I am with others, they are my teachers. 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