How to Read “The superior person seeks from himself, the inferior person seeks from others”
Kunshi wa kore o onore ni motome, shōjin wa kore o hito ni motomu
Meaning of “The superior person seeks from himself, the inferior person seeks from others”
This proverb means that people with excellent character look within themselves for the cause when problems arise. Immature people blame others instead.
When trouble happens or things don’t go well, there’s a moment that tests your character. Virtuous people reflect on themselves. They ask, “Was there something I could have done better?” or “Could I have taken a different approach?”
On the other hand, immature people shift responsibility outward. They say things like “That person is at fault” or “The circumstances were bad.”
This expression is used when teaching the importance of self-reflection. It also warns against blaming others. Even in modern society, this teaching applies to many situations.
These include failures at work, relationship conflicts, and unmet goals. The attitude of looking inward is the first step toward growth. People who can do this are truly superior. This represents a universal truth.
Origin and Etymology
This saying comes from the Analects of Confucius. Specifically, it appears in Chapter 15, “Duke Ling of Wei.” Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who lived from the 6th to 5th century BCE. He left many teachings about morality and how people should live.
“Kunshi” (superior person) refers to an ideal person with virtue in Confucian thought. “Shōjin” (inferior person) means someone lacking in virtue and maturity.
The character “sho” (諸) is worth noting. It means “this” and refers to the cause of problems or responsibility.
Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn period. This was a time of continuous warfare. Many people blamed each other constantly. Perhaps this is why Confucius emphasized the importance of self-reflection.
When things go wrong, people instinctively look for external causes. But truly growing people first look at themselves. This insight is embedded in these words.
This teaching spread to Japan after the Edo period along with Confucianism. Warriors and merchants valued it as an important lesson. The spirit of personal responsibility and consideration for others took deep root in Japanese mentality.
Interesting Facts
The word “kunshi” (superior person) originally meant “son of a ruler.” It referred to people of high social status. But Confucius revolutionized this meaning.
He taught that anyone could become a “kunshi” through virtue and character, not birth or status. This was groundbreaking for his time. It offered hope that anyone could become an ideal person through effort.
The single character “sho” (諸) actually contains two characters compressed together: “shi o” (之於), meaning “this in/from.” Ancient Chinese had this technique of condensing multiple characters into one.
This shows the wisdom of classical Chinese writing. It packs deep meaning into brief expressions.
Usage Examples
- When the project failed, I remembered that the superior person seeks from himself, the inferior person seeks from others. I should review my own management first.
- Some coaches blame the players when the team performs poorly. But the superior person seeks from himself, the inferior person seeks from others. Good leaders reflect on their own coaching methods.
Universal Wisdom
Humans have an instinct to protect themselves. When problems occur, everyone feels the urge to think “It’s not my fault.” This isn’t shameful. It’s a natural movement of the heart.
However, if we live only by this instinct, we cannot grow. This proverb has been passed down for thousands of years because it sees through this human weakness. And it shows us how to overcome it.
Looking at yourself actually requires courage. Admitting your faults hurts your pride. It involves pain. That’s exactly why people who can do this are called “kunshi” – superior people.
In other words, running from that pain and blaming others is the easy path anyone can take.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t say “Don’t blame others.” It simply states the fact: “The inferior person seeks from others.” There’s deep understanding and kindness toward humanity in this.
No one is perfect. Everyone becomes an inferior person sometimes. But we can still strive to be superior people. Perhaps this saying quietly speaks this hope to us.
When AI Hears This
Control theory has a concept called “controllability.” Simply put, only the levers and buttons you can directly operate can guide a system to the desired state.
When driving a car, you can only control the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. You cannot control other cars’ movements or traffic signal timing.
Here’s what’s interesting: when you try to apply feedback to uncontrollable variables, the system becomes mathematically unstable. Complaining about other cars won’t stop your own car. Instead, your attention scatters and accident risk increases.
In engineering, the rule is simple. For uncontrollable disturbances, you only “observe and predict.” You always apply actual control input to variables you can operate.
The difference between the superior person and inferior person in this proverb is exactly this control theory principle. The inferior person pours energy into changing uncontrollable variables like others’ actions and environment.
This is like a control system that doesn’t converge mathematically. It never reaches the desired state. Meanwhile, the superior person focuses on the only controllable variable: themselves.
By adjusting parameters like their own reactions, judgments, and actions, they ultimately stabilize the entire system.
What Confucius intuitively understood 2,500 years ago was the boundary of controllability in the complex system of life. This perfectly matches the truth that modern control engineering proves with equations.
Lessons for Today
Today, through social media and mass media, criticizing someone is easy. Social problems, workplace complaints, relationship troubles – you can always find someone to point your finger at.
But stop and think. Does that criticism help you grow?
This proverb teaches us that changing yourself is the most reliable way to change the world. You cannot change others. But you can change yourself.
Your reactions, your actions, your way of thinking. When you review these things, something mysterious happens. The situation around you starts to change too.
Of course, you don’t need to blame yourself for everything. Some situations are clearly unreasonable. But even then, maintain the attitude of asking “What can I do?”
That becomes the power that moves you forward.
When you fail, take a deep breath first. Ask yourself, “How can I do better next time?” In that moment, you’re taking one step on the path toward becoming a superior person.
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