1. Everything has its beginning and end, and everything has its beginning and end. If you know the order of things, you will be able to take the shortcut. ——"University"

The main idea: Everything in the world has its beginning and end. If you clarify their order, you will be close to the law of the development of things.

2. In ancient times, those who wanted to show virtue to the world first governed their country. If you want to govern your country, you must first regulate your family; if you want to regulate your family, you must first cultivate your body; if you want to cultivate your body, you must first rectify your heart; if you want to rectify your heart, you must first be sincere in your intentions; if you want to be sincere in your intentions; The first step is to gain knowledge; to gain knowledge is to investigate things. ——"University"

The main idea: In ancient times, if you want to make everyone in the world carry forward the upright virtues, you must first govern your own country; if you want to govern your own country well, you must first govern yourself. family; if you want to manage your family well, you must first cultivate your body and mind; if you want to cultivate your body and mind, you must first correct your mind; if you want to correct your mind, you must first prove your sincerity; To prove your sincerity, you must first enrich your knowledge; enriching knowledge lies in in-depth study of the principles of things.

3. When a gentleman has himself, he seeks others; when he has no self, he seeks help from others. ——"The University"

The general idea: A gentleman should have advantages in himself before asking others; for shortcomings, he should have none in himself before criticizing others.

4. Those who are sincere should not deceive themselves. Like hating bad odors, like loving lust, this is called self-effacement. Therefore, a gentleman must be careful about his independence. ——"University"

The general idea; to make your thoughts sincere means not to deceive yourself. Just like you hate the smell of rancidity, just like you love beautiful women, everything comes from the heart. Therefore, a person with high moral character will definitely be cautious even when he is alone.

5. Destiny is called nature, nature is called Tao, and cultivating Tao is called teaching. ——"The Doctrine of the Mean"

The general idea: The moral qualities given to people by nature are called "nature", following the nature of things is called "Tao", and making people cultivate and follow the Tao is called "teaching".

6. Learn it extensively, interrogate it, think carefully, discern it clearly, and practice it diligently. ——"The Doctrine of the Mean"

The general idea: Learn knowledge extensively, ask in detail the reasons for the development of things, think carefully, clearly distinguish between right and wrong, and practice in a down-to-earth manner.

7. 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. ——"The Doctrine of the Mean"

The general idea: Being sincere and understanding things is called nature; being 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.

8. 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 wait for his fate, and a villain takes risks to seek luck. ——"The Doctrine of the Mean"

The general idea: 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.

9. Being eager to learn is close to knowledge, practicing hard is close to benevolence, and knowing shame is close to courage. ——"The Doctrine of the Mean"

The general idea: Being studious and tireless is close to wisdom, working hard to do good is close to benevolence and righteousness, and understanding shame is close to bravery.

10. When joy, anger, sorrow, and joy are not expressed, it is called the middle; when they are expressed, they are all in the middle, it is called harmony. The one who is in the middle is the foundation of the world; the one who is in harmony is the way of the world. To achieve neutrality, the heaven will have its place and all things will be nurtured. ——"The Doctrine of the Mean"

The general idea: When joy, anger, sorrow and joy are not expressed, it is called "Zhong"; when they are expressed and they are in line with the temperament, it is called "Harmony". "Zhong" is the nature that everyone has; "harmony" is the principle that everyone follows. When the state of "neutralization" is reached, heaven and earth will be in their proper place, and all things will grow and multiply.

11. Isn’t it true that one should learn and practice from time to time? Isn’t it great to have friends from far away? Isn't it a gentleman who doesn't know something but doesn't get upset? ——"The Analects of Confucius"

Isn't it a pleasure to learn knowledge and be able to review and practice it frequently? Isn't it a joy to have friends come from afar? People don’t understand me, and I don’t get angry. Aren’t I also a person with cultivated moral character?

12. I will examine myself three times today: Are I being unfaithful to others? Make friends but don’t believe it? Are you not used to it? ——"The Analects of Confucius"

The main idea: I reflect on myself many times a day: Have I tried my best to do things for others? Are you honest and trustworthy in your interactions with friends? Did the teacher teach the knowledge carefully and review it carefully?

13. Clever words and charming words, fresh and benevolent! ——"The Analects of Confucius"

The main idea: People who talk sweetly and pretend to be kind are rarely virtuous!

14. A gentleman sticks to his roots, and the Tao is born from his roots. ——"The Analects of Confucius"

The main idea: A gentleman devotes himself to the fundamentals. When the fundamental things are established, benevolence will emerge.