The sentence is magnanimous, a petty man is anxious and worried.. The next sentence is "combine rigidity with softness, be strong but not fierce, be respectful and safe". Because the Analects of Confucius is a record, not a continuous paragraph.

Translation:

Confucius said, "A gentleman is broad-minded, but a villain is always embarrassed."

Confucius was gentle and stern, dignified but not fierce, humble and serene.

Source: The Analects of Confucius.

Text interpretation

In the eyes of his disciples, Confucius was a perfect man, and his gestures were full of gentleman's demeanor, so he was described as "combining rigidity with softness, being strong but not fierce, being respectful but not afraid". The realm of Confucius is lofty and enviable. Some people think that this is the realm of saints, out of reach. But this is not the case. As long as people are willing to work hard, there is still a great chance to achieve the gentleman's way.

This requires people to pay more attention to their manners in daily life and be moderate everywhere. Don't appear too casual, and don't keep a straight face all day. Speech act should not only make people feel kind, but also make people feel dignified, leaving people with a kind and dignified image. Over time, it can also show the same style as Confucius.