Humility
The junzi is humble about their achievements and open to learning.
Despite their cultivation, the junzi remains humble. They acknowledge what they don't know, welcome correction, and continue learning. Pride in achievement is not characteristic of the junzi.
When you see a worthy person, think of emulating them. When you see an unworthy person, examine yourself.
Others provide mirrors for self-examination.
Analects
Written about in
- What Confucianism says about reverence and ritual
The reverent posture points sideways as well as upward. Meeting someone better than you should prompt imitation; meeting someone worse should prompt self-examination.