Proactive and prudent were used by Confucius（551-479 BC） to refer to two opposing attitudes and styles of behavior. Proactive persons tend to be radical and won’t make any compromise in upholding moral principles and justice. Prudent persons, on the other hand, tend to be cautious and ready to make compromise but without sacrificing moral integrity. Confucius believed that the ideal conduct in life is keeping to the mean, neither going too far nor falling short. While proactive and prudent may be extreme to some extent, both have their own advantages as both adhere to moral principles and justice.

Confucius said, “If one cannot make friends with those who adhere to the middle way, at least be close to aspiring or uninhibited minds. The former aims high whereas the latter never violates moral laws.” (The Analects)