They were generally seen as non-governmental servants of the public,[1] who chose to pass on the benefits and authority of official power in order to develop and share knowledge.

[5] The seonbi followed a strict code of conduct and believed they had the moral duty to lead society in the right direction.

[6] Seonbi were to live life in modesty and perpetual learning in order to attain perfection of character, not only through knowledge but also by adhering to the rightful path.

[3] Seonbi were expected to possess the Confucian virtues of filial piety and loyalty to the king, disdain power, wealth and private interest, and be ready to lay down their life in order to remain faithful to their principles and maintain their integrity.

They venerated scholars such as Chŏng Mong-ju (who died for his fidelity to Goryeo), the six martyred ministers (who refused to accept Sejo's usurpation of the throne), and Jo Gwang-jo (a reformer who died trying to transform Joseon into an ideal Confucian society) as embodiments of the seonbi spirit and as examples to follow, despite him being a controversial figure today.

Representatively, there are seonbis such as Gwak Jae-u, Go Gyeong-myeong, and Jo Heon, who led righteous army in battlefields.

Sarim was the ruling class in charge of political and social functions in close contact with the king's sovereignty.

It appeared as a spirit of purity to reveal the degree of dispute over internal political contradictions and to defend the national pride and security against external challenges.

As for the cry, he insisted on active subjugation from the perspective of the theory of painting, and emphasized the guideline of loyalty, "Chunchu.