The Master said, “The noble person is steadfast in principle but not rigidly bound by petty fidelity.”
Note
This saying from the Analects of Confucius reveals Confucianism’s prioritization of righteousness over blind adherence to promises, emphasizing that moral principle supersedes formalistic commitments.
“Steadfast in principle” refers to unwavering commitment to the Way and great righteousness – the noble person’s foundational stance. “Petty fidelity” originally means honesty, but here specifically denotes mechanical, context-blind promise-keeping that disregards higher moral considerations – what might be called “small trust” or the “obstinate faithfulness of petty people.”
Confucius does not reject integrity – Analects repeatedly stresses trustworthiness as essential to character (e.g., “A person without trustworthiness – is he even viable?”). But he argues that if keeping a promise violates greater moral principles (such as humaneness, righteousness, or ritual propriety), one should not fulfill it blindly. For example: if one promised to hide a friend who later committed a crime, the noble person would not uphold that promise out of “fidelity,” but would choose justice instead.
This reflects the Confucian wisdom of balancing “constancy”and “discretion”: constancy is the enduring norm (like keeping promises); discretion is situational flexibility. True virtue lies not in rigid rule-following, but in judging complex situations by higher ethical standards.
It echoes Analects 13.20: “To always keep one’s word and carry out one’s actions to the end – that is the obstinacy of petty people!” Such inflexible reliability, lacking moral discernment, is deemed inferior.
Today, this teaching reminds us: Integrity matters, but must not become dogma. When a promise conflicts with conscience, law, or public good, one must have the courage to revise or abandon it. True reliability means standing always on the side of righteousness.
In short, Confucius teaches: The noble person upholds great trust, not petty promises; values moral principle, and exercises wise discretion.
Further Reading
The Master said, “In dealing with the world, the noble person has no fixed predilections or aversions; he simply aligns with what is righteous.” Analects 4.10 (Li Ren)
Reinforces that the noble person’s ultimate standard is righteousness – not rules, promises, or personal preferences – supporting the flexible yet principled stance in chapter 15.37.
Zigong asked, “What must one be like to be called a shi (gentleman-official)?”…. “To always keep one’s word and carry out one’s actions to the end – that is the obstinacy of petty people! ….” Analects 13.20 (Zi Lu)
Both distinguish between principled integrity and rigid, unthinking promise-keeping; the latter is inferior.
子曰：「君子貞而不諒。」
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