The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

What did Confucius mean by:

The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action.

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This quote is a profound statement about the importance of action and integrity. It suggests that a superior or noble person is one who does not just talk about what they intend to do, but takes action first. They walk the talk. Their words are not empty promises or mere speculations, but reflections and affirmations of what they have already done.

This idea is grounded in the fundamental principle of integrity and authenticity. It emphasizes the need for one’s words to be congruent with one’s actions. In other words, you should speak about what you have done or are truly willing to do, rather than making empty promises or speaking about things you have no intention of doing.

Applying this principle in today’s world, especially in the realm of personal development, can lead to significant growth and improvement. In a world where talk is cheap and social media allows people to create idealized versions of themselves, it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying more than we actually do. This principle challenges us to reverse that trend.

For instance, instead of talking about how much we want to get into shape, we should start working out and then talk about our fitness journey based on the action we’ve taken. Instead of discussing our desire to learn a new language, we should start learning and then share our experiences and progress. This not only increases our credibility but also leads to real, tangible progress in our personal development.

In a broader societal context, this principle could be applied to leaders and influencers. It encourages them to lead by example, to act first and then speak. It suggests that leaders should make decisions and take actions that are in line with their words, thus building trust and respect among their followers.

Overall, this principle encourages us to be action-oriented and authentic, to let our actions speak for us, and to use our words to reflect and affirm our actions, rather than using them as a substitute for action.

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