Confucius' grandson comments about the Way and human nature. Tr. Legge (en)
右 第 一 章 。 子 思 述 所 傳 之 意 以 立 言 : 首 明 道 之 本 原 出 於 天 而 不 可 易 , 其 實 體 備 於 己 而 不 可 離 , 次 言 存 養 省 察 之 要 , 終 言 聖 神 功 化 之 極 。 蓋 欲 學 者 於 此 反 求 諸 身 而 自 得 之 , 以 去 夫 外 誘 之 私 , 而 充 其 本 然 之 善 , 楊 氏 所 謂 一 篇 之 體 要 是 也 。 其 下 十 章 , 蓋 子 思 引 夫 子 之 言 , 以 終 此 章 之 義 。
In the first chapter, which is given above, Tsze-sze states the view which had been handed down to him, as the basis of his discourse. First, it shows clearly how the path of duty is to be traced to its origin in Heaven, and is unchangeable, while the substance of it is provided in ourselves, and may not be departed from. Next, it speaks of the importance of preserving and nourishing this, and of exercising a watchful self-scrutiny with reference to it. Finally, it speaks of the meritorious achievements and transforming influence of sage and spiritual men in their highest extent. The wish of Tsze-sze was that hereby the learner should direct his thoughts inwards, and by searching in himself, there find these truths, so that he might put aside all outward temptations appealing to his selfishness, and fill up the measure of the goodness which is natural to him. This chapter is what the writer Yang called it, – "The sum of the whole work." In the ten chapters which follow, Tsze-sze quotes the words of the Master to complete the meaning of this.
Legge I.c.
The Doctrine of the Mean – Zhongyong I. 6. – Chinese on/off – Français/English
Alias Zhong Yong, Chung Yung, Tchong Yong, The Unwobbling Pivot (Pound), La Régulation à usage ordinaire (Jullien).
The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
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