The Wisdom of Confucius: Understanding True Integrity

8·16 The Master said, “He is impetuous (1) but not straightforward, childish (2) but not prudent, sincere (3) but not trustworthy. I don’t know what to make of him.”

[Notes]

(1) Impetuous: impetuous, aggressive.

(2) Childish: naive.

(3) Prudent: cautious, careful, unpretentious.

(4) Kong: sincere.

Translation:

Confucius said, “Some people are arrogant and not upright, ignorant and not cautious, and outwardly sincere but not trustworthy. I really don’t know why some people are like this.”

Commentary:

“Arrogant and not upright, ignorant and not cautious, and outwardly sincere but not trustworthy” are not good moral qualities, and Confucius was disgusted by them. This is because these qualities do not conform to the basic principles of the Middle Way, nor do they conform to the Confucian requirements of “warmth, kindness, courtesy, frugality, and yielding” and “benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness.” Therefore, Confucius said, “I really don’t know why some people are like this.

Confucius said: “Those who are impulsive and not upright, ignorant and not cautious, seemingly sincere but not trustworthy—I do not understand such people.”

Here, Confucius points out three distinct flaws that undermine a person’s integrity:

Impulsiveness without Uprightness: Confucius warns against being impulsive or aggressive without being morally upright. In today’s fast-paced world, we often see individuals who act quickly, sometimes rashly, without considering the moral implications of their actions. Confucius suggests that true integrity involves a balance of decisiveness and righteousness.

Ignorance without Caution: The second flaw is ignorance coupled with a lack of caution. Confucius criticizes those who are naive and uninformed but proceed without care or consideration. In modern times, this can be likened to making uninformed decisions without proper research or forethought, which can lead to negative consequences.

Superficial Sincerity without Trustworthiness: Lastly, Confucius disapproves of those who appear sincere on the surface but are not genuinely trustworthy. This hypocrisy is particularly detrimental, as it erodes trust and undermines relationships. In contemporary society, maintaining genuine sincerity and reliability is crucial for building and sustaining trust.

Confucius’ message is clear: true integrity is not just about outward appearances or hasty actions. It requires a deep commitment to uprightness, caution, and genuine sincerity. This timeless wisdom encourages us to reflect on our own behavior and strive for a more authentic and trustworthy character.