The Superior Man: Analects of Confucius

IV. 16: The Master said, "The mind of the superior man is conversant with virtue; the mind of a base man is conversant with gain."

What Confucius was saying was that the mind of a superior (above average) man is familiar with moral excellence, goodness, and righteousness. The mind of the base (lower than average) man is familiar with what interests him than the interests of others. The superior man would rather gain morals and try to do good to others than trying to go gain the best interests for himself. He would rather give than receive. He would rather think of others before he would think of himself. The base man is all about himself. He's all about what he can get for himself. The superior man is the one changing the world and the base man is corrupting the world.

XIV.24: The Master said, "The progress of the superior man is upwards; the progress of the mean man is downwards."

The superior man is friendly and nice. He's good to all people. He treats people fairly and with dignity. He treats them with love and care. He's not seeking his own but for the interests of others. His progress is going to increase upwards. His life will be fulfilling and blessed. It will be fruitful and productive and many and people will follow him. The mean man's progress is going to be downwards. When he treats people disrespectfully and in a harsh way, its not going to get him no where with people in life. Misery likes company. People that are miserable want to make other people miserable. The mean man will not have friends and his associations with people will be very limited.

XV. 18 The master said, "The superior man is distressed by his want of ability. He is not distressed by men not know him."

The superior man is all about being effective in his leadership and lifestyle. He wants to make a difference and impact through his life. He's not worried about the lime light, status, and being part of the in crowd. He's about just doing what he has to do and being effective in what he's doing and doesn't care if he's recognized by others. He rather not be known and kept a secret.