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. 4.

"Therefore the administration of government lies in getting proper men. Such men are to be got by means of the ruler's own character. That character is to be cultivated by his treading in the ways of duty. And the treading those ways of duty is to be cultivated by the cherishing of benevolence.

Legge XX.4.

仁德是人和人之间不可少的准则，以亲爱亲族长辈为第一义；义是合宜的意思，以尊贤人为第一义。由亲到疏，亲近的程度也逐渐下降；由最贤到稍贤，尊敬的程度也逐渐不同，礼节便由此产生。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XX. 4.