A gentleman is ashamed to let his words outrun his deeds.

This saying is commonly attributed to Confucius (Kongzi, 551–479 BCE) and reflects a central concern of early Confucian ethics: the alignment of speech with conduct. In the Analects, Confucius repeatedly warns against glib talk and urges moral self-cultivation expressed through ritual propriety (li) and humane character (ren). The “gentleman” here translates junzi, the exemplary person whose authority rests on integrity rather than status. The maxim fits the Warring States–era milieu in which persuasive rhetoric and political maneuvering were widespread; Confucian teaching counters this by emphasizing credibility, restraint, and the moral weight of action over verbal display.

The quote asserts that ethical character is measured by congruence: one’s promises, claims, and moral language should not exceed what one actually does. Shame functions as an internal moral compass—an affective check that prevents hypocrisy and empty virtue-signaling. In Confucian terms, the junzi cultivates trustworthiness (xin) by speaking carefully and acting decisively, so that words become reliable indicators of character. The line also implies a social ethic: communities depend on dependable speech, and public life is corrupted when rhetoric substitutes for responsibility. Its enduring significance lies in its critique of performative morality and its demand that credibility be earned through consistent deeds.

1) “The superior man is ashamed to let his words outrun his deeds.”
2) “The gentleman is ashamed if his words exceed his actions.”
3) “A noble man is ashamed when his words are better than his deeds.”