Confucius says the gentleman has three reverences: reverence for the Mandate of Heaven, for great men, and for the words of the sages.
Tips
history
From 《论语·季氏》 (the Analects, Ji Shi, Confucius, c. 500 BCE): 君子有三畏：畏天命，畏大人，畏圣人之言。小人不知天命而不畏也，狎大人，侮圣人之言 (The gentleman has three reverences: reverence for the Mandate of Heaven, for great men, and for the words of the sages. The petty man does not know the Mandate and fears nothing, takes great men familiarly, and mocks the sages' words). One of the Analects's most-cited passages on moral fear / awe.
usage
Here 畏 = 'to hold in reverent awe,' not mere 'fear.' 之 is the classical possessive. Always quoted as part of the 三畏 triad; referenced in Chinese ethics, cultural-conservatism writing, and leadership commentary.
