People should behave according to their own position and situation. This expression is said to originate in The Doctrine of the Mean. People in different circumstances have different duties to perform and different rules to observe. They can give play to their innate morality by proper performance of their duties. Therefore, people should not be motivated by external gain to pursue the status enjoyed by others; rather, they should be content with their own life and tap their full potential given the situation in which they find themselves.

Men of virtue do what is proper to their position and the circumstances they are in, without envying for the life beyond. Being wealthy, they do what the wealthy should do; being poor, they do what the poor should do; being among the remote tribes, they do what a member of the remote tribes should do; being in a difficult situation, they do what is proper when in such circumstances. Men of virtue can find contentment in whatever situation they may find themselves in. (The Book of Rites)