"A person of character has nine things to consider: seeing clearly, hearing accurately, being warm in expression, respectful in bearing, loyal in speech, reverent in work, asking when doubtful, considering consequences when angry, and considering righteousness when seeing gain."

Chinese Original

君子有九思:视思明，听思聪，色思温，貌思恭，言思忠，事思敬，疑思问，忿思难，见得思义。

English Rendering

The noble person has nine things to consider: seeing clearly, hearing accurately, being warm in expression, respectful in bearing, loyal in speech, reverent in work, asking when doubtful, considering consequences when angry, and considering righteousness when seeing gain.

Chinese Translation

孔子说:"君子要考虑九件事:看的时候，要考虑是否看明白了。听的时候，要考虑是否听清楚了。脸上的颜色，要考虑是否温和。容貌态度，要考虑是否端庄。与人交谈，要考虑是否诚恳。对待工作，要考虑是否认真负责。遇到疑难，要考虑如何向人请教。将要发怒时，要考虑会有什么后患。要得到什么，先要考虑是否应该得到。"

Modern Meaning

In "君子有九思:视思明，听思聪，色思温，貌思恭，言思忠，事思敬，疑思问，忿思难，见得思义," Confucius focuses on a person of character has nine things to consider. The exact principle is that learning needs the discipline of judgment, and judgment needs the discipline of study. The tension is not generic learning with reflection; it is the specific problem that people either collect information without examining it or trust their own opinions without testing them, which still appears in reading an article, taking a class, or leaving a meeting with new information.

How to Apply Today

Use this teaching today in reading an article, taking a class, or leaving a meeting with new information. Because this line says "A person of character has nine things to consider," write one sentence that summarizes the lesson and one sentence that questions or tests it, so the lesson becomes visible in one behavior.

Reflection Question

For "君子有九思:视思明，听思聪，色思温，貌思恭，言思忠，事思敬，疑思问，忿思难，见得思义" (row 50, 修身篇 / On Self-Cultivation), Where am I gathering information without thinking, or thinking without enough evidence?

Action Step

Write a two-sentence study note: one summary sentence and one question sentence, specifically in response to this demand: "A person of character has nine things to consider."

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性相近也，习相远也。

"By nature people are close to one another; through practice they grow far apart."

In "性相近也，习相远也," Confucius focuses on by nature people are close to one another. The exact principle is that public order starts with role clarity, example, and trustworthy conduct. The tension is not generic governance and responsibility; it is the specific problem that leaders try to command outcomes that their own behavior, language, or priorities do not support, which still appears in leading a team, managing a decision, or commenting on work outside your responsibility.

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贤贤易色

"Value virtue in the virtuous, and let attraction to appearance change into respect for character."

In "贤贤易色," Confucius focuses on value virtue in the virtuous, and let attraction to appearance change into respect for character. The exact principle is that virtue is proven by choices when convenience, fear, or comparison pulls the other way. The tension is not generic humanity and virtue; it is the specific problem that people praise goodness in principle but fail to move toward it when a concrete moment asks for cost, which still appears in noticing a person to emulate, a fault to avoid, or a small chance to do the right thing.

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人不知，而不愠，不亦君子乎?

"When others do not understand you and you do not resent it, is that not the mark of a noble person?"

In "人不知，而不愠，不亦君子乎," Confucius focuses on when others do not understand you and you do not resent it, is that not the mark of a noble person. The exact principle is that public order starts with role clarity, example, and trustworthy conduct. The tension is not generic governance and responsibility; it is the specific problem that leaders try to command outcomes that their own behavior, language, or priorities do not support, which still appears in leading a team, managing a decision, or commenting on work outside your responsibility.

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