junzi

Junzi, often translated as "gentleman" or "noble person," is a central concept in Confucian ethics. The term combines jun (lord, ruler, or sovereign) with zi (son), and while it originally signified noble birth, in classical Confucianism it denotes a person who has cultivated moral character. The junzi is expected to embody ren (benevolence or humanity), yi (righteousness), li (propriety or ritual propriety), and zhi (wisdom). Trustworthiness (xin) and filial piety (xiao) are also associated with the ideal. A junzi governs or behaves according to moral law rather than appetite or expediency, and pursues self-cultivation through learning, reflection, and virtuous action.

Historically, junzi serves as the ideal ruler or official in Confucian thought, standing in contrast to the xiaoren (petty or small-minded person). Confucius and later texts such as Mengzi (Mencius) describe the junzi as cultivating moral virtues and leading by example, sometimes under the mandate of benevolent government. In modern usage, the term has shifted from aristocratic status to an aspirational moral ideal and can describe any person who maintains ethical integrity and social responsibility. The concept has influenced East Asian moral philosophy, education, and governance, continuing to be a reference point for character and leadership.