Confucius said, “Hold loyalty and trustworthiness as your foundation; do not befriend those who are inferior to yourself; and when you make a mistake, do not fear correcting it.”
Note
This passage from the Analects of Confucius outlines three core principles for self-cultivation and friendship:
- “Hold loyalty and trustworthiness as your foundation” stresses inner virtue – loyalty (devoting oneself wholeheartedly) and trustworthiness (keeping one’s word) – as the basis of moral character;
- “Do not befriend those inferior to yourself” is not elitism, but a pragmatic guideline: associate with those whose virtue or learning surpasses yours, so you can learn from them and aspire to their excellence. Constant companionship with those morally or intellectually weaker may lead to complacency or decline;
- “When you make a mistake, do not fear correcting it” highlights the Confucian emphasis on rectifying faults – since no one is perfect, true virtue lies in the courage to acknowledge and amend errors.
Together, these form a dynamic system of moral growth: grounded in loyalty and trustworthiness, refined through association with worthy friends, and perfected by continuous self-correction. This reflects the Confucian practical wisdom of “seeing the worthy and aspiring to equal them; seeing the unworthy and examining oneself,” embodying an active, reflective, and self-improving ideal of personhood.
Further Reading
The Master said, “If the noble person lacks seriousness, he will lack dignity, and his learning will not be solid. Hold loyalty and trustworthiness as your foundation; do not befriend those inferior to yourself; and when you err, do not fear correcting it.” Analects 1.8 (Xue Er)
Nearly identical wording; shows this teaching was central to early Confucian instruction on conduct and learning.
The Master said, “When you see a worthy person, aspire to be like them; when you see an unworthy one, examine yourself inwardly.” Analects 4.17 (Li Ren)
Reinforces the idea of using others as mirrors for self-improvement – consistent with choosing friends who inspire growth.
Confucius said, “There are three kinds of beneficial friends and three kinds of harmful ones. To befriend the upright, the trustworthy, and the well-informed – this is beneficial. To befriend the obsequious, the smooth-tongued, and the glib – this is harmful.” Analects 16.4 (Ji Shi)
Expands on “do not befriend those inferior to yourself” by specifying which traits make a friend beneficial or detrimental.
子曰：「主忠信，毋友不如己者，過則勿憚改。」
Leave a Reply