chün-tzu Chinese term meaning ‘gentleman’, ‘superior man’, ‘noble person’, or ‘exemplary individual’. Chün-tzu is Confucius’s practically attainable ideal of ethical excellence. A chün-tzu, unlike a sheng (sage), is one who exemplifies in his life and conduct a concern for jen (humanity), li (propriety), and i (rightness/righteousness). Jen pertains to affectionate regard to the well-being of one’s fellows in the community; li to ritual propriety conformable to traditional rules of proper behavior; and i to one’s sense of rightness, especially in dealing with changing circumstances. A chün-tzu is marked by a catholic and neutral attitude toward preconceived moral opinions and established moral practices, a concern with harmony of words and deeds. These salient features enable the chün-tzu to cope with novel and exigent circumstances, while at the same time heeding the importance of moral tradition as a guide to conduct. A.S.C.