The gentleman acts according to his present station and does not desire what lies beyond it.
If he is in wealth and honor, he acts accordingly;
if in poverty and lowliness, he acts accordingly;
if among barbarians, he acts accordingly;
if in distress and adversity, he acts accordingly.
Thus, the gentleman is at ease wherever he finds himself.
When in a high position, he does not oppress those below;
when in a low position, he does not flatter those above.
He rectifies himself and does not demand from others – hence, he harbors no resentment.
He does not blame Heaven above, nor reproach others below.
Therefore, the gentleman abides in simplicity and awaits his destiny,
while the petty person takes dangerous risks in pursuit of fortune.
君子素其位而行，不愿乎其外。
素富貴，行乎富貴；
素貧賤，行乎貧賤；
素夷狄，行乎夷狄；
素患難，行乎患難：
君子無入而不自得焉。
在上位不陵下，在下位不援上，
正己而不求於人，則無怨。
上不怨天，下不尤人。
故君子居易以俟命，小人行險以徼幸。
Note
This chapter articulates the Confucian wisdom of “accepting one’s station” and “acting in accordance with the times” – a concrete expression of the Doctrine of the Mean in real life.
The core principle is “acting according to one’s present station”, to dwell contentedly in one’s role. The gentleman does not let external circumstances disturb his inner equilibrium; instead, he follows the Way (Dao) and fulfills his duties in every situation. Whether in wealth, poverty, exile among “barbarians,” or amid suffering – none are obstacles but opportunities for moral cultivation. This state of “being at ease wherever one is” is not passive resignation but stems from a clear understanding of the boundary between human effort and heavenly decree: do your utmost, then accept fate with peace.
The lines “does not oppress those below when high, nor flatter those above when low” further illustrate the gentleman’s impartial character: no arrogance in power, no servility in humility. His standard is solely “rectifying himself,” not manipulating or depending on others. Thus, he naturally “harbors no resentment” – neither blaming Heaven (accepting what cannot be controlled) nor reproaching others (understanding their limitations) – demonstrating profound moral autonomy and emotional maturity.
Zhu Xi, in his Commentary on the Doctrine of the Mean, explains: “‘Abiding in simplicity’ means adhering to the ordinary path of daily conduct.” The “destiny” the gentleman awaits is not passively expected but cultivated through consistent virtue in everyday life, until the principles of Heaven naturally manifest. In contrast, “the petty person takes dangerous risks for fortune” seeks shortcuts, violates moral norms, and inevitably invites peril.
This chapter resonates with the earlier ideal of “living in obscurity without regret,” together portraying the Confucian sage: externally adaptable to all conditions, internally steadfast in the Mean; indifferent to external validation, devoted solely to self-cultivation. It is a vivid embodiment of the Confucian ideal: “sublime in its height, yet rooted in the ordinary.”
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