Sima Niu asked about humaneness.
The Master said, “A humane person speaks with restraint and caution.”
Sima Niu asked, “Is speaking with restraint alone enough to be called humane?”
The Master replied, “Since practicing humaneness is so difficult, how could one speak about it without caution?”
Note
This brief dialogue from the Analects reveals Confucius’s emphasis on the alignment between speech and moral action. He does not define humaneness (benevolence) as mere verbal restraint; rather, he points out that genuine humaneness—being profoundly demanding in practice—naturally leads the virtuous person to speak carefully. The caution in speech (humaneness, here meaning “slow to speak” or “measured in words”) arises from a deep awareness of the difficulty of living up to ethical ideals. One who truly strives for humaneness knows how hard it is to act righteously in every situation, and thus avoids glibness, boasting, or empty declarations. Confucius corrects Sima Niu’s potential misunderstanding: humaneness is not defined by speech style alone, but authentic humaneness inevitably manifests in restrained speech. This reflects a broader Confucian theme: outer expression (speech, demeanor) must be rooted in inner moral reality. The passage also subtly addresses Sima Niu’s personal context—he was known to be anxious and impulsive—so Confucius tailors his teaching to cultivate self-restraint. Ultimately, the saying underscores that true virtue is measured by deeds, and those who know its weight speak sparingly.
Further Reading
The Master said, “The noble person wishes to be slow in speech but quick in action.” Analects 4.24 (Li Ren)
Both stress that moral excellence prioritizes action over words; speech should be restrained precisely because conduct is what truly matters.
The Master said, “The noble person is ashamed when his words exceed his actions.” Analects 14.27 (Xian Wen)
Reinforces that loose or excessive speech without corresponding deeds is morally shameful—hence the need for ren-inspired caution in talking.
司馬牛問仁。子曰：「仁者其言也訒。」曰：「其言也訒，斯謂之仁已乎？」子曰：「為之難，言之得無訒乎？」
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