The three principles in "The Great Learning" are to be virtuous, to be close to the people, and to strive for perfection. The eight items are to investigate things, to gain knowledge, to be sincere, to be righteous, to cultivate oneself, to regulate the family, to govern the country, and to bring peace to the world.

The original text about the Three Cardinal Guidelines and Eight Purposes in "The Great Learning" written by Zeng Zi in the Spring and Autumn Period:

The way of a great university lies in the enlightenment of virtue, in being close to the people, and in striving for the ultimate goodness. Knowing that there is stillness can lead to concentration, concentration can lead to tranquility, tranquility can lead to tranquility, tranquility can lead to worry, and worry can lead to gain. Things have a beginning and an end, and things have an end and a beginning. If you know the order of things, you will be able to take the shortcut.

In ancient times, those who wanted to show virtue to the world first governed their country. If you want to rule your country, you must first rule your country. If you want to improve your family, you must first cultivate your body. If you want to cultivate your body, you must first rectify your mind. If you want to correct your heart, you must first be sincere. If you want to be sincere, you must first know it. Knowledge lies in investigating things. After observing things, one will know, and after knowing one's thoughts, one will be sincere, one's mind will be sincere, then one's heart will be upright, one's heart will be right, then one will cultivate one's body, one will cultivate one's body, and then one's family will be in order, and one's family will be in order, and then the country will be governed.

Vernacular translation:

The purpose of "The Great Learning" is to promote noble virtues, to care for the people, and to achieve the highest level of goodness. Only when we know that we must reach the state of "the highest good" can we determine the goal. Only when we set the goal can we have a peaceful mind. Only when the mind is quiet can we be stable and stable. Only when we are stable and stable can we think carefully. Only by thinking carefully can we achieve the "supreme good". Everything has a root and an end, and everything has an end and a beginning. Knowing their order is not far from the purpose of "The University".

In ancient times, those who wanted to promote noble virtues throughout the world first had to govern their own country; those who wanted to govern their country well, first had to adjust their families; those who wanted to adjust their families well. Those who belong to their own family must first cultivate their own moral character; those who wish to cultivate their own moral character must first correct their own thoughts; those who wish to correct their own thoughts must first make their thoughts sincere;

Those who want to realize the true city must first acquire knowledge; the way to acquire knowledge is to explore the truth. Only by exploring the truth can we gain the correct understanding; only by understanding the true city can we have true thoughts; only by sincere thoughts can we correct our minds; only by correcting our minds can we cultivate good moral character; only by cultivating moral character can we regulate our families; only after our families have been regulated can we govern the country and the country well. Only after good governance can the world be peaceful.

Extended information:

"The University" focuses on the important relationship between improving personal cultivation, cultivating good moral character and governing the country and the world. The central idea can be summarized as "cultivating oneself to bring peace to the people", with the Three Programs and Eight Items as the theme.

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. The Three Cardinal Principles and Eight Eyes have class characteristics. Mingde and perfection are the political requirements and ethical standards of feudalism for the monarch; the eight items such as studying things and Zhizhi require the integration of political ideas and ethical thoughts in the Three Programmes on issues of self-cultivation. .

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-University