Zhongyong – The Doctrine of the Mean

Confucius' grandson comments about the Way and human nature. Tr. Legge (en)

I
II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI
XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX XXXI XXXII
XXXIII

XX. On government: showing principally how it depends on the character of the officers administering it, and how that depends on the character of the sovereign himself.

Zhongyong XX. 12.

"All who have the government of the kingdom with its States and families have nine standard rules to follow;– viz. the cultivation of their own characters; the honoring of men of virtue and talents; affection towards their relatives; respect towards the great ministers; kind and considerate treatment of the whole body of officers; dealing with the mass of the people as children; encouraging the resort of all classes of artisans; indulgent treatment of men from a distance; and the kindly cherishing of the princes of the States.

Legge XX.12.

自身修养了，道德便能树立；尊重贤人，就不致遇事迷惑；亲爱亲族，那么父辈和兄弟们就不致怨恨；恭敬大臣，就不致受人迷乱；体贴一般臣子，他们对你的报答就会厚重；爱护百姓，百姓就会互相劝勉；招致各种工匠，财富用品就会充足；安抚境外人民，四方百姓就会归服；感召各国诸侯，天下就会害怕你。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XX. 12.