Sima Niu asked about the noble person (junzi). The Master said, “The noble person has no anxiety and no fear.”
He asked further, “Is being free from anxiety and fear alone enough to be called a noble person?”
The Master replied, “When one examines oneself inwardly and finds no guilt, what is there to worry or fear about?”
Note
This passage from the Analects of Confucius articulates a core Confucian insight: inner moral integrity is the foundation of emotional tranquility.
Confucius does not claim that “not worrying or fearing” defines the junzi (Confucian gentleman) in a superficial sense; rather, he explains that such peace of mind is the natural result of consistent ethical self-cultivation. The key lies in inner self-examination—a continuous practice of reflecting on one’s thoughts and actions against the standards of righteousness and humaneness. When one’s conduct aligns with these virtues, conscience remains clear, and thus anxiety and fear dissolve. This contrasts sharply with mere stoicism or emotional suppression; Confucian calm arises from genuine moral alignment, not denial. The dialogue also reflects Confucius’s pedagogical sensitivity: Sima Niu was known to be prone to anxiety (possibly due to family turmoil—he came from the rebellious Song state), so the Master addresses his personal disposition by linking psychological peace to ethical clarity.
Ultimately, the passage teaches that true nobility is not performative but internal—rooted in a life lived with integrity, where outer composure flows from inner rectitude.
Further Reading
The Master said, “The noble person is calm and open-minded; the petty person is always full of distress.” Analects 7.37 (Shu Er)
Directly parallels chapter 12.4—inner virtue produces serenity, while selfishness breeds chronic anxiety.
司馬牛問君子。子曰：「君子不憂不懼。」曰：「不憂不懼，斯謂之君子已乎？」子曰：「內省不疚，夫何憂何懼？」
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