The basic meaning of the term is to put oneself in another person’s position and have empathy, and to reflect what one would do in the same kind of situation. Starting out from their own likes and dislikes, people can understand and show considerations for the wishes of others, and on the basis of such understanding, people should refrain from imposing their own likes and dislikes on others. This is what it means to be considerate. To those enforcing the law and to the victims of wrongdoing, the meaning of the term extended to mean forgiveness or pardon.

Zigong asked, “Is there any teaching that can serve as a lasting principle for conduct in one’s whole life?” Confucius replied, “Surely that is to be considerate! Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you.” (The Analects)

To extend one’s mind to understand others is called “being considerate”. (Zhu Xi: The Analects Variorum)