Being alert when one is alone
 
This means one should be strict with oneself even when alone. Through this, one will discipline the inner thoughts and prevent erroneous or selfish thoughts. In Zhong Yong (Doctrine of the Mean), it is written, "A gentleman is alert when he is on his own." That is to say, "There are some hidden, subtle thoughts which already exist but have not yet developed. One could be aware of it although others have yet to find out. One should abstain from one’s own desires even at the earliest stage to prevent them from growing. Be careful when speaking and be cautious when acting so that one can meet moral standards." Being alert when one is alone is a manifestation of one’s attitude towards life. It means having consistency between one's mind and actions. This openness is new realm of life. There are many ancient anecdotes like this.
 
Forgiveness
 
On the issue of human relationships in society, Confucius emphasized generosity and forgiveness. He said, "One should demand more upon oneself, and demand less from others." "Do not apply something you do not like upon others." Zhu Xi (Confucian scholar in the Song Dynasty) said, "Doing one's best is loyalty, and considering others' situation as if one's own is forgiveness." That is to say, be considerate and place yourself in others' shoes. A gentleman should be strict with himself while generous and forgiving with others. A gentleman should be trustworthy and his words are consistent with his actions. Confucius once said, "When you say something, make sure to keep your word. When you do something, make sure it is completed." Confucius also said, "A gentleman is cautious with his words, since he considers it shameful when he is unable to achieve his words." When a gentleman sees someone better than himself, he would learn from that person. When a gentleman sees someone who was less virtuous, he would examine himself to see if he had similar problems. A gentleman should also think about righteousness when faced with profit. Mengzi said, “A gentleman is good at learning from others’ merits, good at guiding others towards benevolence, and act compassionately together with others.”
 
The purpose of a gentleman's study and self-improvement is to "realize righteousness to achieve the Tao." Confucius said that self-cultivation requires one to be serious and respectful when performing deeds, to be compassionate to others, and to bring peace to all citizens. In Da Xue (Great Learning), this was summarized as "Cultivate oneself, harmonize the family, manage a nation, and bring peace to the world." A gentleman should purify his own mind and body to virtuously achieve the Tao. Only by having high virtues can one be open-minded, kindhearted, and be able to fulfill his social responsibility to safeguard the truth.
 
君子严己宽人 (下)
 
慎独
 
慎独是指在个人独处时也要严格要求自己，是对个人内心深处比较隐蔽的思想意识进行自律的一种修养方式，防止错误思想及私欲，邪念不生，时时保持正念，对自觉性要求更高。《中庸》说：“君子慎其独也”，意思是说，对于“幽暗之中，细微之事，迹虽未形而几则动，人虽不知而己独知，遏人欲于将萌，而不使其滋长于隐微之中，谨言慎行，追求道德规范”。慎独表明的是一种人生态度，表里如一；彰显的是一种人生境界，襟怀坦白。我国历史上涌现出许多秉持这一操守的君子：如东汉杨震“天知、地知、你知、我知”慎独拒礼；三国时刘备“勿以恶小而为之，勿以善小而不为”；宋代袁采“处世当无愧于心”；元代许衡不食无主之梨，只因“梨虽无主，我心有主”；清代叶存仁“不畏人知畏己知”，凡此种种，无一不是慎独自律、追求道德完善的体现。
 
宽人
 
在处理人际关系时，孔子倡导忠恕的道德原则，说“躬自厚，而薄责于人”、“己所不欲，勿施与人”；朱熹说“尽己之谓忠，推己之谓恕。”这里指凡事要推己及人，将心比心，设身处地为他人著想。即君子对自己要严格要求，而对于他人，则要宽以待人。君子与人交往要讲诚信，言行一致，“言必信，行必果”(《论语﹒子路》)，以“言过其实”及“躬之不逮”为耻，说话要谨慎，不说好听话、空话，而在行动上则要勤奋敏捷。君子还应做到见贤思齐与见利思义。君子看见贤人，就要想著向他看齐；看见不贤的人，应该自己反省，有没有同他类似的毛病。“见利思义，见危授命，久要不忘平生之言”是要求君子在为人处世时、在利益面前，首先想到的是道义。孟子说“君子莫大乎与人为善”，是指君子要擅于学习别人的优点，擅于导人以善，同别人一道行善。
 

君子学习、修身的目的在于“行义以达其道”。通过修己获得思想境界的提升，从而传播道义，德化民众，济世安民。孔子说：“修己以敬”、“修己以安人”、“修己以安百姓”，是说修养自己就要使自己能够严肃、庄重、恭敬的去做事；修养自己就要善待他人；修养自己就要使天下所有的百姓都得到安宁和太平，这在《大学》中被概括为“修身、齐家、治国、平天下”。君子修正身心，净化心灵，与道相合，与德相应。只有道德高尚的人才能胸怀坦荡，与人为善，才能够承担起维护真理的社会责任和使命。