The Master said, “If I cannot find someone who follows the middle way to associate with, I would surely choose the bold or the principled! The bold are eager to advance; the principled refuse to do certain things.”
Note
This passage from The Analects reveals Confucius’s hierarchy of moral character and his pragmatic wisdom in real-world choices.
The “middle way” refers to those whose conduct perfectly embodies the Doctrine of the Mean – balanced, moderate, and ethically attuned. This is Confucius’s highest ideal. Yet since such people are exceedingly rare, he settles for two alternatives: the “bold/ardent” and the “principled/restrained”.
- The former are ambitious and proactive, striving vigorously toward lofty ideals – though they may sometimes be impetuous or extreme, they possess initiative and courage.
- The latter uphold personal integrity by refusing to engage in unworthy actions – they may seem overly cautious or inflexible, but they maintain clear moral boundaries.
Confucius values both because, despite falling short of the Mean, they exhibit vital moral energy: one pushes forward, the other holds the line. Both are vastly superior to the “village worthy” – the hypocrite who pleases everyone but lacks true principle. This statement thus balances idealism with realism: while upholding the Mean as the ultimate standard, Confucius acknowledges that partial virtues are still worth embracing in an imperfect world. It reflects the Confucian dialectic of “aiming for the highest while walking the middle path.”
Further Reading
The Master said, “The ‘village worthy’ is a thief of virtue.” Analects 17.13 (Yang Huo)
Directly contrasts with the “bold/ardent” and the “principled/restrained” – while the ‘village worthy’ appears virtuous but lacks genuine moral backbone, the “bold/ardent” and the “principled/restrained”, though imperfect, are authentically committed to principle.
The Master said, “The virtue of the Mean is the highest indeed! For a long time, the people have rarely practiced it.” Analects 6.29 (Yong Ye)
Explains why “middle way” is so hard to find – affirming the rarity of true moderation, which justifies settling for the “bold/ardent” and the “principled/restrained”.
子曰：「不得中行而與之，必也狂狷乎！狂者進取，狷者有所不為也。」
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