The source is "The Great Learning" - Author: Zeng Zi
"The Great Learning" is a prose that discusses the Confucian thought of self-cultivation and governing the country to bring peace to the world. It was originally the fourth chapter of "The Book of Rites of Xiao Dai" Twelve chapters, said to be written by Zeng Zi, are actually Confucian works of the Qin and Han Dynasties. It is an important work discussing educational theory in ancient China.
After Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi of the Northern Song Dynasty tried their best to respect it, Zhu Xi of the Southern Song Dynasty also wrote "Great Learning Chapters", which was eventually called the "Four Books" together with "The Doctrine of the Mean", "The Analects of Confucius" and "Mencius".
After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, "The Great Learning" became an official school textbook and a required reading for imperial examinations, which had a great impact on ancient Chinese education.
The full text of "The Great Learning" is simple in diction, profound in connotation, and far-reaching in influence. It mainly summarizes the pre-Qin Confucian moral cultivation theory, as well as the basic principles and methods of moral cultivation. It also has a systematic discussion of Confucian political philosophy. It is profoundly enlightening on how to behave, deal with things, and govern the country.
Extended information:
Theme of University
"The University" focuses on the importance of improving personal cultivation, cultivating good moral character, and governing the country and the world. relation.
The central idea can be summarized as "cultivating oneself to bring peace to the people", and is divided into three programs: "clear virtue, be close to the people, and strive for perfection" and eight items: "investigate things, develop knowledge, sincerity, correct mind, cultivate oneself, The theme is "Organize the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world".
The outlook on life proposed in "The Great Learning" is inextricably linked to Confucianism, and is basically a further expansion of the Confucian outlook on life. This outlook on life requires paying attention to personal cultivation and embracing positive goals. This cultivation and requirement is based on Confucian ethics as its main connotation.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-University