Zhongyong – The Doctrine of the Mean

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

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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

XIII. The path of the Mean is not far to seek. Each man has the law of it in himself, and it is to be pursued with earnest sincerity.

Zhongyong XIII. 4.

"In the way of the superior man there are four things, to not one of which have I as yet attained.– To serve my father, as I would require my son to serve me: to this I have not attained; to serve my prince, as I would require my minister to serve me: to this I have not attained; to serve my elder brother, as I would require my younger brother to serve me: to this I have not attained; to set the example in behaving to a friend, as I would require him to behave to me: to this I have not attained. Earnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license. Thus his words have respect to his actions, and his actions have respect to his words; is it not just an entire sincerity which marks the superior man?"

Legge XIII.4.

君子按照目前的处境去行事，不作分外之想。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XIII. 4.