Famous Quotes of the Doctrine of the Mean
1. Destiny is called nature, spontaneity is called Tao, and cultivating Tao is called teaching.
The virtues given to people by nature are called "nature", following the nature of things is called "Tao", and making people cultivate and follow Tao is called "teaching".
2. He is fond of asking questions but loves to observe the far-reaching words. He hides the evil but promotes the good. He holds both ends and uses them for the people.
I like to ask others for advice and like to understand people's superficial words; eliminate negative things and promote people's good deeds; I am good at grasping the two extremes of things and adopt appropriate methods to implement on the people.
3. Learn extensively, interrogate, think carefully, discern clearly, and practice diligently.
Learn knowledge extensively, inquire in detail about the reasons for the development of things, think carefully, distinguish right from wrong clearly, and practice in a down-to-earth manner.
4. Being sincere and clear is called nature; being clear and sincere is called teaching. If you are sincere, you will be clear; if you are clear, you will be sincere.
To understand things because of sincerity is called nature; to be sincere because of understanding things is the result of education. If you are sincere, you will understand the truth, and if you can understand the truth, you will be sincere.
5. The middle one is the foundation of the world. Harmony is the way to achieve peace in the world.
"Zhong" is the great origin of the world, and "harmony" is the universal law of the world.
6. A gentleman walks according to the Tao, but fails to do so half-heartedly.
A gentleman acts according to the golden mean. Some people give up halfway, but I cannot stop halfway.
7. Don’t blame heaven when you are above, and don’t blame others when you are below. Therefore, a gentleman lives in easy places to await his fate, while a villain takes risks to take chances.
Don’t complain to God when you are above, and don’t blame others when you are below. Therefore, the gentleman is in a safe position and waits for destiny, while the villain takes risks in the hope of lucky success.
8. Being eager to learn is close to knowledge, practicing is close to benevolence, and knowing shame is close to courage.
Being diligent in learning is close to wisdom, working hard to do good is close to benevolence and righteousness, and understanding shame is close to bravery.