Analects 4.16 · Li Ren
“The exemplary person understands what is right; the petty person understands what is profitable.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
君子喩於義 小人喩於利 (jūn zǐ yù yú yì, xiǎo rén yù yú lì) means “The exemplary person understands what is right; the petty person understands what is profitable.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 16.
君子喩於義 小人喩於利
- Pinyin
- jūn zǐ yù yú yì, xiǎo rén yù yú lì
- Translation
- The exemplary person understands what is right; the petty person understands what is profitable.
- Source
- Analects, Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 16
What does this passage mean?
The verb in this passage means to perceive clearly or understand. The exemplary person understands righteousness, while the petty person understands profit. In Li Ren, Confucius offers a clear standard for judging character. The contrast between righteousness and profit is central to Confucian thought. He did not reject profit itself; he warned against an attitude that pursues profit alone.
How can we apply it today?
In a business culture that puts performance and revenue first, talking about moral obligation can sound naive. Yet over the long term, people and companies that honor what is right tend to endure. A company that deceives customers for short-term gain or a person who tramples colleagues for results eventually loses trust. Righteousness and profit need not always conflict. The real wisdom is to seek benefit by rightful means.
Questions to reflect on
- ·What do you choose when righteousness and profit conflict?
- ·Is your standard for decisions closer to what is right or to what is advantageous?
- ·Which do you value more, long-term trust or short-term gain?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 君 | jūn | ruler | 7 | 口 (mouth) |
| 子 | zǐ | son | 3 | 子 (child) |
| 喩 | yù | understand | 12 | 口 (mouth) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 義 | yì | right | 13 | 羊 (sheep) |
| 小 | xiǎo | small | 3 | 小 (small) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 喩 | yù | understand | 12 | 口 (mouth) |
| 於 | yú | at; in | 8 | 方 (square) |
| 利 | lì | beneficial | 7 | 刀 (knife) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “The exemplary person understands what is…” mean?
君子喩於義 小人喩於利 (jūn zǐ yù yú yì, xiǎo rén yù yú lì) means “The exemplary person understands what is right; the petty person understands what is profitable.” It comes from the Analects, Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 16.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 4.16: Book 4 (Li Ren), Chapter 16.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
In a business culture that puts performance and revenue first, talking about moral obligation can sound naive.Yet over the long term, people and companies that honor what is right tend to endure.