When greathearted, the superior man reveres Heaven, and
follows the True Way; when timid, he respects i, and practices
moderation; when intelligent, he is possessed of clear understanding
and thinks logically; when ignorant, he is upright and law-abiding;
when happy, he is friendly and controlled; when sad,
he is quiet and withdraws;[2]
when successful, he is peaceful and
contained; when in straits, he is frugal[3]
and careful.
When greathearted, the mean man is rude and violent; when
timid, he is lecherous and perverted; when intelligent, he is a
thief and a cheat;[4]
when stupid, he is a killer and a rebel; when
happy, he is frivolous and gay; when sad, he is crushed and
subdued;[5]
when successful, he is arrogant and partial; when in
straits, he is despondent and harassed. The joints of his limbs are
disposed like those of animals. In violence of speech he is no
different from the barbarians; outside he grieves the members of
his own clan, and inside he worries the inhabitants of his village.
The Ode says,[6]
He is like the Man or the Mao—
This is what makes me sad.
A mean man's conduct!
[7]
