Don't be fooled by his gentle manner — he's actually very brave.
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From 《论语·雍也》: '质胜文则野，文胜质则史，文质彬彬，然后君子' — 'substance without refinement is crude; refinement without substance is fussy; when both are balanced, that is a gentleman.' Confucius's original definition of the 君子.
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Usually positive: cultured, polite, well-groomed. Modern use often focuses on appearance (glasses, soft-spoken, bookish) rather than Confucius's deeper balance. Can also be used with a twist: 别看他文质彬彬 — 'don't let his scholarly look fool you.'
