In this passage Confucius goes through what the objects of awe must be for noble men, the first object of awe is the ordinances of Heaven(tianming). The ordinances of Heaven is a philosophical concept that with the ordinances of Heaven a ruler should be allowed to rule fully without any backlash. These rulers would have to be just rulers or their ordinances would be revoked. Since the noble person is respected by the masses it is critical to show respect to a ruler who has the ordinances of Heaven because other people will follow him in that respect. The great man in Confucianism is considered to be someone who follows The Way and stays true to the Confucianism doctrine. He is key to follow because he should be a role model to anyone who strives
