The
Doctrine of the Mean
By Confucius
Written ca. 500 B.C.E
What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature; an accordance with
this nature is called The Path of duty; the regulation of this path is
called Instruction.
The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would
not be the path. On this account, the superior man does not wait till he
sees things, to be cautious, nor till he hears things, to be apprehensive.
There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more
manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over
himself, when he is alone.
While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind
may be said to be in the state of Equilibrium. When those feelings have
been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be
called the state of Harmony. This Equilibrium is the great root from
which grow all the human actings in the world, and this Harmony is the
universal path which they all should pursue.
Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a
happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will
be nourished and flourish.
Chung-ni said, "The superior man embodies the course of the Mean; the
mean man acts contrary to the course of the Mean.
"The superior man's embodying the course of the Mean is because he
is a superior man, and so always maintains the Mean. The mean man's acting
contrary to the course of the Mean is because he is a mean man, and has
no caution."
The Master said, "Perfect is the virtue which is according to the Mean!
Rare have they long been among the people, who could practice it!
The Master said, "I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not
walked in:-The knowing go beyond it, and the stupid do not come up to it.
I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not understood:-The men of
talents and virtue go beyond it, and the worthless do not come up to it.
"There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish
flavors."
The Master said, "Alas! How is the path of the Mean untrodden!"
The Master said, "There was Shun:-He indeed was greatly wise! Shun loved
to question others, and to study their words, though they might be shallow.
He concealed what was bad in them and displayed what was good. He took
hold of their two extremes, determined the Mean, and employed it in his
government of the people. It was by this that he was Shun!"
The Master said "Men all say, 'We are wise'; but being driven forward and
taken in a net, a trap, or a pitfall, they know not how to escape. Men
all say, 'We are wise'; but happening to choose the course of the Mean, they
are not able to keep it for a round month."
The Master said "This was the manner of Hui:-he made choice of the
Mean, and whenever he got hold of what was good, he clasped it firmly, as
if wearing it on his breast, and did not lose it."
The Master said, "The kingdom, its states, and its families, may be
perfectly ruled; dignities and emoluments may be declined; naked weapons may
be trampled under the feet; but the course of the Mean cannot be attained to."
Tsze-lu asked about energy.
The Master said, "Do you mean the energy of the South, the energy of the
North, or the energy which you should cultivate yourself?
"To show forbearance and gentleness in teaching others; and not to
revenge unreasonable conduct:-this is the energy of southern regions, and
the good man makes it his study.
"To lie under arms; and meet death without regret:-this is the energy
of northern regions, and the forceful make it their study.
"Therefore, the superior man cultivates a friendly harmony, without being
weak.-How firm is he in his energy! He stands erect in the middle, without
inclining to either side.-How firm is he in his energy! When good principles
prevail in the government of his country, he does not change from what he
was in retirement. How firm is he in his energy! When bad principles
prevail in the country, he maintains his course to death without changing.-How
firm is he in his energy!"
The Master said, "To live in obscurity, and yet practice wonders, in
order to be mentioned with honor in future ages:-this is what I do not do.
"The good man tries to proceed according to the right path, but when
he has gone halfway, he abandons it:-I am not able so to stop.
"The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may
be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret.-It is only
the sage who is able for this."
The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is
secret.
Common men and women, however ignorant, may intermeddle with the knowledge
of it; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage does
not know. Common men and women, however much below the ordinary standard
of character, can carry it into practice; yet in its utmost reaches, there
is that which even the sage is not able to carry into practice. Great as
heaven and earth are, men still find some things in them with which to be
dissatisfied. Thus it is that, were the superior man to speak of his way
in all its greatness, nothing in the world would be found able to
embrace it, and were he to speak of it in its minuteness, nothing in the
world would be found able to split it.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "The hawk flies up to heaven; the
fishes leap in the deep." This expresses how this way is seen above and
below.
The way of the superior man may be found, in its simple elements, in the
intercourse of common men and women; but in its utmost reaches, it
shines brightly through Heaven and earth.
The Master said "The path is not far from man. When men try to pursue
a course, which is far from the common indications of consciousness, this
course cannot be considered The Path.
"In the Book of Poetry, it is said, 'In hewing an ax handle, in hewing
an ax handle, the pattern is not far off. We grasp one ax handle to hew
the other; and yet, if we look askance from the one to the other, we may
consider them as apart. Therefore, the superior man governs men, according
to their nature, with what is proper to them, and as soon as they change
what is wrong, he stops.
"When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and
exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from the
path. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not do to others.
"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?"
The superior man does what is proper to the station in which he is; he
does not desire to go beyond this.
In a position of wealth and honor, he does what is proper to a position
of wealth and honor. In a poor and low position, he does what is proper
to a poor and low position. Situated among barbarous tribes, he does
what is proper to a situation among barbarous tribes. In a position of
sorrow and difficulty, he does what is proper to a position of sorrow and
difficulty. The superior man can find himself in no situation in which he
is not himself.
In a high situation, he does not treat with contempt his inferiors. In a
low situation, he does not court the favor of his superiors. He rectifies himself,
and seeks for nothing from others, so that he has no dissatisfactions. He
does not murmur against Heaven, nor grumble against men.
Thus it is that the superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the
appointments of Heaven, while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking
for lucky occurrences.
The Master said, "In archery we have something like the way of the
superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round
and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself."
The way of the superior man may be compared to what takes place in
traveling, when to go to a distance we must first traverse the space that
is near, and in ascending a height, when we must begin from the lower ground.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "Happy union with wife and children is
like the music of lutes and harps. When there is concord among brethren, the
harmony is delightful and enduring. Thus may you regulate your family, and
enjoy the pleasure of your wife and children."
The Master said, "In such a state of things, parents have entire complacence!"
The Master said, "How abundantly do spiritual beings display the powers
that belong to them!
"We look for them, but do not see them; we listen to, but do not hear
them; yet they enter into all things, and there is nothing without them.
"They cause all the people in the kingdom to fast and purify themselves, and array themselves in their richest dresses, in order to attend at their sacrifices. Then, like overflowing water, they seem to be over the heads, and on the right and left of their worshippers.
"It is said in the Book of Poetry, 'The approaches of the spirits, you
cannot sunrise; and can you treat them with indifference?'
"Such is the manifestness of what is minute! Such is the impossibility of
repressing the outgoings of sincerity!"
The Master said, "How greatly filial was Shun! His virtue was that of
a sage; his dignity was the throne; his riches were all within the four seas.
He offered his sacrifices in his ancestral temple, and his descendants preserved
the sacrifices to himself.
"Therefore having such great virtue, it could not but be that he should
obtain the throne, that he should obtain those riches, that he should obtain
his fame, that he should attain to his long life.
"Thus it is that Heaven, in the production of things, is sure to be
bountiful to them, according to their qualities. Hence the tree that is
flourishing, it nourishes, while that which is ready to fall, it overthrows.
"In the Book of Poetry, it is said, 'The admirable amiable prince displayed
conspicuously his excelling virtue, adjusting his people, and adjusting
his officers. Therefore, he received from Heaven his emoluments of
dignity. It protected him, assisted him, decreed him the throne; sending from
Heaven these favors, as it were repeatedly.'
"We may say therefore that he who is greatly virtuous will be sure to
receive the appointment of Heaven."
The Master said, "It is only King Wan of whom it can be said that he
had no cause for grief! His father was King Chi, and his son was King Wu.
His father laid the foundations of his dignity, and his son transmitted it.
"King Wu continued the enterprise of King T'ai, King Chi, and King Wan.
He once buckled on his armor, and got possession of the kingdom. He did
not lose the distinguished personal reputation which he had throughout the
kingdom. His dignity was the royal throne. His riches were the possession of
all within the four seas. He offered his sacrifices in his ancestral temple,
and his descendants maintained the sacrifices to himself.
"It was in his old age that King Wu received the appointment to the
throne, and the duke of Chau completed the virtuous course of Wan and Wu.
He carried up the title of king to T'ai and Chi, and sacrificed to all
the former dukes above them with the royal ceremonies. And this rule he
extended to the princes of the kingdom, the great officers, the scholars, and
the common people. If the father were a great officer and the son a scholar,
then the burial was that due to a great officer, and the sacrifice that
due to a scholar. If the father were a scholar and the son a great officer,
then the burial was that due to a scholar, and the sacrifice that due to
a great officer. The one year's mourning was made to extend only to the
great officers, but the three years' mourning extended to the Son of
Heaven. In the mourning for a father or mother, he allowed no difference between
the noble and the mean.
The Master said, "How far-extending was the filial piety of King Wu
and the duke of Chau!
"Now filial piety is seen in the skillful carrying out of the wishes of
our forefathers, and the skillful carrying forward of their undertakings.
"In spring and autumn, they repaired and beautified the temple halls
of their fathers, set forth their ancestral vessels, displayed their various
robes, and presented the offerings of the several seasons.
"By means of the ceremonies of the ancestral temple, they distinguished the
royal kindred according to their order of descent. By ordering the parties
present according to their rank, they distinguished the more noble and
the less. By the arrangement of the services, they made a distinction of
talents and worth. In the ceremony of general pledging, the inferiors presented
the cup to their superiors, and thus something was given the lowest to
do. At the concluding feast, places were given according to the hair,
and thus was made the distinction of years.
"They occupied the places of their forefathers, practiced their ceremonies,
and performed their music. They reverenced those whom they honored, and
loved those whom they regarded with affection. Thus they served the dead
as they would have served them alive; they served the departed as they
would have served them had they been continued among them.
"By the ceremonies of the sacrifices to Heaven and Earth they served God,
and by the ceremonies of the ancestral temple they sacrificed to their ancestors.
He who understands the ceremonies of the sacrifices to Heaven and Earth,
and the meaning of the several sacrifices to ancestors, would find the
government of a kingdom as easy as to look into his palm!"
The Duke Ai asked about government.
The Master said, "The government of Wan and Wu is displayed in the records,-the
tablets of wood and bamboo. Let there be the men and the government will
flourish; but without the men, their government decays and ceases.
"With the right men the growth of government is rapid, just as vegetation
is rapid in the earth; and, moreover, their government might be called
an easily-growing rush.
"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.
"Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity, and the great
exercise of it is in loving relatives. Righteousness is the accordance of
actions with what is right, and the great exercise of it is in honoring the
worthy. The decreasing measures of the love due to relatives, and the steps
in the honor due to the worthy, are produced by the principle of propriety.
"When those in inferior situations do not possess the confidence of
their superiors, they cannot retain the government of the people.
"Hence the sovereign may not neglect the cultivation of his own character.
Wishing to cultivate his character, he may not neglect to serve his
parents. In order to serve his parents, he may not neglect to acquire knowledge
of men. In order to know men, he may not dispense with a knowledge of
Heaven.
"The duties of universal obligation are five and the virtues wherewith they
are practiced are three. The duties are those between sovereign and minister,
between father and son, between husband and wife, between elder brother
and younger, and those belonging to the intercourse of friends. Those
five are the duties of universal obligation. Knowledge, magnanimity, and
energy, these three, are the virtues universally binding. And the means by
which they carry the duties into practice is singleness.
"Some are born with the knowledge of those duties; some know them by
study; and some acquire the knowledge after a painful feeling of their ignorance.
But the knowledge being possessed, it comes to the same thing. Some
practice them with a natural ease; some from a desire for their advantages; and
some by strenuous effort. But the achievement being made, it comes to
the same thing."
The Master said, "To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge. To
practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity. To possess the feeling of
shame is to be near to energy.
"He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character.
Knowing how to cultivate his own character, he knows how to govern other
men. Knowing how to govern other men, he knows how to govern the kingdom
with all its states and families.
"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.
"By the ruler's cultivation of his own character, the duties of universal
obligation are set forth. By honoring men of virtue and talents, he is
preserved from errors of judgment. By showing affection to his relatives, there
is no grumbling nor resentment among his uncles and brethren. By respecting
the great ministers, he is kept from errors in the practice of
government. By kind and considerate treatment of the whole body of officers, they
are led to make the most grateful return for his courtesies. By dealing with
the mass of the people as his children, they are led to exhort one another
to what is good. By encouraging the resort of an classes of artisans, his
resources for expenditure are rendered ample. By indulgent treatment of
men from a distance, they are brought to resort to him from all quarters. And
by kindly cherishing the princes of the states, the whole kingdom is brought
to revere him.
"Self-adjustment and purification, with careful regulation of his dress,
and the not making a movement contrary to the rules of propriety this is
the way for a ruler to cultivate his person. Discarding slanderers, and
keeping himself from the seductions of beauty; making light of riches, and
giving honor to virtue-this is the way for him to encourage men of worth
and talents. Giving them places of honor and large emolument. and sharing
with them in their likes and dislikes-this is the way for him to encourage
his relatives to love him. Giving them numerous officers to discharge their
orders and commissions:-this is the way for him to encourage the great
ministers. According to them a generous confidence, and making their emoluments
large:-this is the way to encourage the body of officers. Employing them
only at the proper times, and making the imposts light:-this is the way
to encourage the people. By daily examinations and monthly trials, and
by making their rations in accordance with their labors:-this is the way
to encourage the classes of artisans. To escort them on their departure and
meet them on their coming; to commend the good among them, and show compassion
to the incompetent:-this is the way to treat indulgently men from a
distance. To restore families whose line of succession has been broken,
and to revive states that have been extinguished; to reduce to order
states that are in confusion, and support those which are in peril; to
have fixed times for their own reception at court, and the reception of
their envoys; to send them away after liberal treatment, and welcome their
coming with small contributions:-this is the way to cherish the princes of
the states.
"All who have the government of the kingdom with its states and families
have the above nine standard rules. And the means by which they are
carried into practice is singleness.
"In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such
previous preparation there is sure to be failure. If what is to be spoken
be previously determined, there will be no stumbling. If affairs be
previously determined, there will be no difficulty with them. If one's actions
have been previously determined, there will be no sorrow in connection with
them. If principles of conduct have been previously determined, the practice
of them will be inexhaustible.
"When those in inferior situations do not obtain the confidence of
the sovereign, they cannot succeed in governing the people. There is a
way to obtain the confidence of the sovereign;-if one is not trusted by
his friends, he will not get the confidence of his sovereign. There is a
way to being trusted by one's friends;-if one is not obedient to his parents,
he will not be true to friends. There is a way to being obedient to
one's parents;-if one, on turning his thoughts in upon himself, finds a
want of sincerity, he will not be obedient to his parents. There is a way
to the attainment of sincerity in one's self; -if a man do not understand what
is good, he will not attain sincerity in himself.
"Sincerity is the way of Heaven. The attainment of sincerity is the
way of men. He who possesses sincerity is he who, without an effort, hits
what is right, and apprehends, without the exercise of thought;-he is
the sage who naturally and easily embodies the right way. He who attains to
sincerity is he who chooses what is good, and firmly holds it fast.
"To this attainment there are requisite the extensive study of what
is good, accurate inquiry about it, careful reflection on it, the clear
discrimination of it, and the earnest practice of it.
"The superior man, while there is anything he has not studied, or
while in what he has studied there is anything he cannot understand, Will
not intermit his labor. While there is anything he has not inquired about,
or anything in what he has inquired about which he does not know, he
will not intermit his labor. While there is anything which he has not reflected
on, or anything in what he has reflected on which he does not apprehend,
he will not intermit his labor. While there is anything which he has not
discriminated or his discrimination is not clear, he will not intermit
his labor. If there be anything which he has not practiced, or his
practice fails in earnestness, he will not intermit his labor. If another man
succeed by one effort, he will use a hundred efforts. If another man succeed
by ten efforts, he will use a thousand.
"Let a man proceed in this way, and, though dull, he will surely become
intelligent; though weak, he will surely become strong."
When we have intelligence resulting from sincerity, this condition is to
be ascribed to nature; when we have sincerity resulting from intelligence, this
condition is to be ascribed to instruction. But given the sincerity, and
there shall be the intelligence; given the intelligence, and there shall
be the sincerity.
It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can
exist under heaven, who can give its fun development to his nature. Able
to give its full development to his own nature, he can do the same to
the nature of other men. Able to give its full development to the nature of
other men, he can give their full development to the natures of animals and
things. Able to give their full development to the natures of creatures and
things, he can assist the transforming and nourishing powers of Heaven and
Earth. Able to assist the transforming and nourishing powers of Heaven and
Earth, he may with Heaven and Earth form a ternion.
Next to the above is he who cultivates to the utmost the shoots of
goodness in him. From those he can attain to the possession of sincerity. This
sincerity becomes apparent. From being apparent, it becomes manifest. From
being manifest, it becomes brilliant. Brilliant, it affects others. Affecting
others, they are changed by it. Changed by it, they are transformed. It
is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist
under heaven, who can transform.
It is characteristic of the most entire sincerity to be able to foreknow.
When a nation or family is about to flourish, there are sure to be happy
omens; and when it is about to perish, there are sure to be unlucky
omens. Such events are seen in the milfoil and tortoise, and affect the
movements of the four limbs. When calamity or happiness is about to come,
the good shall certainly be foreknown by him, and the evil also. Therefore
the individual possessed of the most complete sincerity is like a
spirit.
Sincerity is that whereby self-completion is effected, and its way is
that by which man must direct himself.
Sincerity is the end and beginning of things; without sincerity there
would be nothing. On this account, the superior man regards the attainment of
sincerity as the most excellent thing.
The possessor of sincerity does not merely accomplish the self-completion of
himself. With this quality he completes other men and things also. The completing
himself shows his perfect virtue. The completing other men and things
shows his knowledge. But these are virtues belonging to the nature, and
this is the way by which a union is effected of the external and internal. Therefore,
whenever he-the entirely sincere man-employs them,-that is, these
virtues, their action will be right.
Hence to entire sincerity there belongs ceaselessness.
Not ceasing, it continues long. Continuing long, it evidences itself.
Evidencing itself, it reaches far. Reaching far, it becomes large and
substantial. Large and substantial, it becomes high and brilliant.
Large and substantial;-this is how it contains all things. High and
brilliant;-this is how it overspreads all things. Reaching far and continuing
long;-this is how it perfects all things.
So large and substantial, the individual possessing it is the co-equal of
Earth. So high and brilliant, it makes him the co-equal of Heaven. So far-reaching
and long-continuing, it makes him infinite.
Such being its nature, without any display, it becomes manifested; without
any movement, it produces changes; and without any effort, it accomplishes its
ends.
The way of Heaven and Earth may be completely declared in one sentence.-They are
without any doubleness, and so they produce things in a manner that is
unfathomable.
The way of Heaven and Earth is large and substantial, high and brilliant,
far-reaching and long-enduring.
The Heaven now before us is only this bright shining spot; but when
viewed in its inexhaustible extent, the sun, moon, stars, and constellations of
the zodiac, are suspended in it, and all things are overspread by it. The
earth before us is but a handful of soil; but when regarded in its breadth
and thickness, it sustains mountains like the Hwa and the Yo, without feeling
their weight, and contains the rivers and seas, without their leaking away.
The mountain now before us appears only a stone; but when contemplated in
all the vastness of its size, we see how the grass and trees are produced on
it, and birds and beasts dwell on it, and precious things which men treasure
up are found on it. The water now before us appears but a ladleful; yet
extending our view to its unfathomable depths, the largest tortoises, iguanas,
iguanodons, dragons, fishes, and turtles, are produced in it, articles
of value and sources of wealth abound in it.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "The ordinances of Heaven, how profound
are they and unceasing!" The meaning is, that it is thus that Heaven
is Heaven. And again, "How illustrious was it, the singleness of the
virtue of King Wan!" indicating that it was thus that King Wan was what
he was. Singleness likewise is unceasing.
How great is the path proper to the Sage!
Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises
up to the height of heaven.
All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules of
ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor.
It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden.
Hence it is said, "Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all
its courses, be made a fact."
Therefore, the superior man honors his virtuous nature, and maintains constant
inquiry and study, seeking to carry it out to its breadth and greatness,
so as to omit none of the more exquisite and minute points which it
embraces, and to raise it to its greatest height and brilliancy, so as
to pursue the course of the Mean. He cherishes his old knowledge, and is
continually acquiring new. He exerts an honest, generous earnestness, in
the esteem and practice of all propriety.
Thus, when occupying a high situation he is not proud, and in a low
situation he is not insubordinate. When the kingdom is well governed, he
is sure by his words to rise; and when it is ill governed, he is sure by
his silence to command forbearance to himself. Is not this what we find in
the Book of Poetry,-"Intelligent is he and prudent, and so preserves his
person?"
The Master said, Let a man who is ignorant be fond of using his own
judgment; let a man without rank be fond of assuming a directing power to
himself; let a man who is living in the present age go back to the ways of
antiquity;-on the persons of all who act thus calamities will be sure to
come.
To no one but the Son of Heaven does it belong to order ceremonies, to
fix the measures, and to determine the written characters.
Now over the kingdom, carriages have all wheels, of the-same size; all
writing is with the same characters; and for conduct there are the same
rules.
One may occupy the throne, but if he have not the proper virtue, he may
not dare to make ceremonies or music. One may have the virtue, but if he
do not occupy the throne, he may not presume to make ceremonies or music.
The Master said, "I may describe the ceremonies of the Hsia dynasty, but
Chi cannot sufficiently attest my words. I have learned the ceremonies of
the Yin dynasty, and in Sung they still continue. I have learned the ceremonies
of Chau, which are now used, and I follow Chau."
He who attains to the sovereignty of the kingdom, having those three
important things, shall be able to effect that there shall be few errors
under his government.
However excellent may have been the regulations of those of former times,
they cannot be attested. Not being attested, they cannot command credence,
and not being credited, the people would not follow them. However excellent
might be the regulations made by one in an inferior situation, he is not
in a position to be honored. Unhonored, he cannot command credence, and
not being credited, the people would not follow his rules.
Therefore the institutions of the Ruler are rooted in his own character and
conduct, and sufficient attestation of them is given by the masses of
the people. He examines them by comparison with those of the three kings, and
finds them without mistake. He sets them up before Heaven and Earth, and
finds nothing in them contrary to their mode of operation. He presents himself
with them before spiritual beings, and no doubts about them arise. He is
prepared to wait for the rise of a sage a hundred ages after, and has no
misgivings.
His presenting himself with his institutions before spiritual beings, without
any doubts arising about them, shows that he knows Heaven. His being
prepared, without any misgivings, to wait for the rise of a sage a
hundred ages after, shows that he knows men.
Such being the case, the movements of such a ruler, illustrating his
institutions, constitute an example to the world for ages. His acts are
for ages a law to the kingdom. His words are for ages a lesson to the kingdom.
Those who are far from him look longingly for him; and those who are
near him are never wearied with him.
It is said in the Book of Poetry,-"Not disliked there, not tired of
here, from day to day and night tonight, will they perpetuate their praise."
Never has there been a ruler, who did not realize this description, that
obtained an early renown throughout the kingdom.
Chung-ni handed down the doctrines of Yao and Shun, as if they had been
his ancestors, and elegantly displayed the regulations of Wan and Wul
taking them as his model. Above, he harmonized with the times of Heaven,
and below, he was conformed to the water and land.
He may be compared to Heaven and Earth in their supporting and containing,
their overshadowing and curtaining, all things. He may be compared to
the four seasons in their alternating progress, and to the sun and moon in
their successive shining.
All things are nourished together without their injuring one another. The
courses of the seasons, and of the sun and moon, are pursued without any
collision among them. The smaller energies are like river currents; the
greater energies are seen in mighty transformations. It is this which makes
heaven and earth so great.
It is only he, possessed of all sagely qualities that can exist under
heaven, who shows himself quick in apprehension, clear in discernment, of
far-reaching intelligence, and all-embracing knowledge, fitted to exercise rule;
magnanimous, generous, benign, and mild, fitted to exercise forbearance; impulsive,
energetic, firm, and enduring, fitted to maintain a firm hold; self-adjusted,
grave, never swerving from the Mean, and correct, fitted to command
reverence; accomplished, distinctive, concentrative, and searching, fitted
to exercise discrimination.
All-embracing is he and vast, deep and active as a fountain, sending forth
in their due season his virtues.
All-embracing and vast, he is like Heaven. Deep and active as a fountain,
he is like the abyss. He is seen, and the people all reverence him; he
speaks, and the people all believe him; he acts, and the people all are
pleased with him.
Therefore his fame overspreads the Middle Kingdom, and extends to all
barbarous tribes. Wherever ships and carriages reach; wherever the strength
of man penetrates; wherever the heavens overshadow and the earth sustains;
wherever the sun and moon shine; wherever frosts and dews fall:-all who
have blood and breath unfeignedly honor and love him. Hence it is said,-"He is the equal of Heaven."
It is only the individual possessed of the most entire sincerity that
can exist under Heaven, who can adjust the great invariable relations of
mankind, establish the great fundamental virtues of humanity, and know the
transforming and nurturing operations of Heaven and Earth;-shall this individual
have any being or anything beyond himself on which he depends?
Call him man in his ideal, how earnest is he! Call him an abyss, how
deep is he! Call him Heaven, how vast is he!
Who can know him, but he who is indeed quick in apprehension, clear in
discernment, of far-reaching intelligence, and all-embracing knowledge, possessing
all Heavenly virtue?
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "Over her embroidered robe she puts
a plain single garment," intimating a dislike to the display of the elegance
of the former. Just so, it is the way of the superior man to prefer the
concealment of his virtue, while it daily becomes more illustrious, and
it is the way of the mean man to seek notoriety, while he daily goes more
and more to ruin. It is characteristic of the superior man, appearing insipid,
yet never to produce satiety; while showing a simple negligence, yet to
have his accomplishments recognized; while seemingly plain, yet to be
discriminating. He knows how what is distant lies in what is near. He
knows where the wind proceeds from. He knows how what is minute becomes manifested.
Such a one, we may be sure, will enter into virtue.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "Although the fish sink and lie at
the bottom, it is still quite clearly seen." Therefore the superior man
examines his heart, that there may be nothing wrong there, and that he
may have no cause for dissatisfaction with himself. That wherein the superior
man cannot be equaled is simply this,-his work which other men cannot
see.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "Looked at in your apartment, be
there free from shame as being exposed to the light of Heaven." Therefore, the superior man, even when he is not moving, has a feeling of reverence, and while he speaks not, he has the feeling of truthfulness.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "In silence is the offering presented, and the spirit approached to; there is not the slightest contention."
Therefore the superior man does not use rewards, and the people are
stimulated to virtue. He does not show anger, and the people are awed
more than by hatchets and battle-axes.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "What needs no display is virtue. All
the princes imitate it." Therefore, the superior man being sincere and
reverential, the whole world is conducted to a state of happy tranquility.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "I regard with pleasure your brilliant
virtue, making no great display of itself in sounds and appearances." The
Master said, "Among the appliances to transform the people, sound and appearances
are but trivial influences. It is said in another ode, 'His Virtue is
light as a hair.' Still, a hair will admit of comparison as to its size.
'The doings of the supreme Heaven have neither sound nor smell. 'That is
perfect virtue."
THE END