Skill vs. Substance: Why a True Gentleman’s Worth Isn’t in His Toolbox

Confucius said: The officer knows me not. I learned many menial skills because I was poor in youth. Does a superior man need many skills? He does not.

Does the high officer know me? When I was young, my condition was low, and therefore I acquired my ability in many things, but they were mean matters. Must the superior man have such variety of ability? He does not need variety of ability.

大宰知我乎!吾少也贱,故多能鄙事。君子多乎哉?不多也。

Source: The Analects, Zi Han IX, Chapter 6

Author: Confucius

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