Confucius believed that "ren" could best be cultivated by those who had already learned self-discipline, and that self-discipline was best learned by practicing and cultivating one's understanding of "li": rituals and forms of propriety through which people demonstrate their respect for others and their responsible roles in society ("Analects" 3.3). Confucius said that one's understanding of "li" should inform everything that one says and does ("Analects" 12.1). He believed that subjecting oneself to "li" did not mean suppressing one's desires, but learning to reconcile them with the needs of one's family and broader community.