In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within!

This saying is commonly attributed to Confucius (Kongzi, 551–479 BCE) and reflects a core theme of early Confucian ethics: moral self-cultivation through constant reflection and emulation of virtue. In the Analects, Confucius frequently urges students to learn from exemplary people and to treat encounters with others—whether admirable or flawed—as opportunities for self-improvement. The maxim fits the social world of the late Spring and Autumn period, when Confucius taught that personal virtue (ren) and proper conduct (li) could restore order. Rather than focusing on judging others, the emphasis is on using every relationship as a mirror for one’s own character.

The quote proposes two complementary disciplines. First, when you meet someone morally admirable, you should not merely praise them but actively measure yourself against their virtues and learn how to approach their standard. Second, when you meet someone morally deficient, the proper response is not contempt but introspection: ask what in yourself resembles the fault, or what conditions might lead you to it. Together, these attitudes turn social life into a continuous moral education. The aphorism also implies humility—virtue is something to be pursued, not claimed—and it shifts ethical attention from external blame to internal reform, a hallmark of Confucian self-cultivation.

1) "When you see a worthy man, think of becoming like him; when you see an unworthy man, examine yourself." 2) "In the presence of the good, think how to equal them; in the presence of the bad, look within and examine yourself."