“The superior man extends his concern to inferior creatures and things; the inferior man misses even his concerns for other people.”
—
Confucius
Analects IV.10 (trans. James Legge), paraphrase
Commentary
Confucius emphasizes that virtue extends beyond human relationships to concern for all living things and the natural world. The superior person feels responsibility even for creatures and things.
This reflects a comprehensive humaneness that recognizes interconnection. Care radiates outward from the center: self, family, state, world, nature. The scope expands, but the principle remains the same.
This teaching offers environmental and ecological wisdom: proper human conduct includes respect and care for the natural world, not just exploitation of it.
Commentary
Confucius emphasizes that virtue extends beyond human relationships to concern for all living things and the natural world. The superior person feels responsibility even for creatures and things.
This reflects a comprehensive humaneness that recognizes interconnection. Care radiates outward from the center: self, family, state, world, nature. The scope expands, but the principle remains the same.
This teaching offers environmental and ecological wisdom: proper human conduct includes respect and care for the natural world, not just exploitation of it.