--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we see persons of worth, we should…" description: "\"When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg" --- # When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling… ![“When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg) > “When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” [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. Observing virtuous people inspires self‑improvement; observing flawed people prompts introspection. **In simple terms:** Learn from good, reflect on bad. Key Takeaway Model behavior after the virtuous, self‑examine when confronted with vice. Themes morality self‑reflection role models personal growth Mood reflective didactic Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - leadership - education - personal development - community building Key Concepts confucian ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - Who exemplifies virtues you admire? - How do you handle exposure to negative influences? A Different Perspective Self‑improvement can be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary/) [Contrary Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary-character-3878301/) [Equaling Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equaling-persons-3878300/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Persons Worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons-worth-3878298/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Think Equaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-equaling-3878299/) [Worth Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-think-524781/) ## Related quotes > [“When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-we-see-men-of-a-contrary-character-we-should-turn-inwards-and/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In the common run of mankind, for one that is wise and good you find ten of a contrary character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/in-the-common-run-of-mankind-for-one-that-is-wise-and-good-you-find/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I say what's in my head, and I'm on honest ground. That is worth so much, and I think it does make my job,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harmon/i-say-what-s-in-my-head-and-i-m-on-honest-ground-that-is-worth-so/) [Dan Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harmon/) > [A dollar is not worth as much as you think it is. Your honesty is worth much more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-boone-pickens/a-dollar-is-not-worth-as-much-as-you-think-it-is-your-honesty-is/) [T. Boone Pickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-boone-pickens/) > [I'm single because I know my worth not because I think I'm too good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-single-because-i-know-my-worth-not-because-i-think-i-m-too-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I see your sad for a man that does not know what he has, but don't be sad because you deserve the best, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-vazquez/i-see-your-sad-for-a-man-that-does-not-know-what-he-has-but-don-t-be/) [Juan Vazquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-vazquez/) > [Your friends are worth more than you think--$7.99 at least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-friends-are-worth-more-than-you-think-7-99-at-least/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Trying to love yourself, to know your own value and worth, is something I think a lot of young girls struggle with and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-crownover/trying-to-love-yourself-to-know-your-own-value-and-worth-is-something/) [Jay Crownover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-crownover/) > [For what it's worth, I think you're beautiful just the way you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-what-it-s-worth-i-think-you-re-beautiful-just-the-way-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we see men of worth, we should think of equalling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-courbet/when-we-see-men-of-worth-we-should-think-of-equalling-them-when-we/) [Gustave Courbet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-courbet/) > [“You’re worth more than you think. You just have to believe that; then everyone else will too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-perez/you-re-worth-more-than-you-think-you-just-have-to-believe-that-then/) [Kathryn Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-perez/) > [I read somewhere that we are all more than we know. And I really believe that. Everybody is worth something, and think of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-benatar/i-read-somewhere-that-we-are-all-more-than-we-know-and-i-really/) [Pat Benatar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-benatar/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) ## 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 Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [In the fight between biology and morality, biology has commonly won in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/semir-zeki/in-the-fight-between-biology-and-morality-biology-has-commonly-won-in/) [Semir Zeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/semir-zeki/) > [Your looks don't make you pretty, it's the person inside who makes you pretty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-chan/your-looks-don-t-make-you-pretty-it-s-the-person-inside-who-makes-you/) [Aaron Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-chan/) > [I'm not a huge social media kind of guy, so I don't really know, I don't really ever get... at least in real life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-stroma/i-m-not-a-huge-social-media-kind-of-guy-so-i-don-t-really-know-i-don/) [Freddie Stroma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-stroma/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-think-of-equaling-them-when-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Character" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-think-of-equaling-them-when-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/confucius-164_character_when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-t_2863762.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character…” — 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": "When we see persons of worth,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-think-of-equaling-them-when-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-we-see-persons-of-worth-we-should-think-of-equaling-them-when-we/#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 } } ] } ```