Famous Quotes from "The Doctrine of the Mean" 1

1. The destiny is called nature, the will of nature is called Tao, and the practice of Tao is called teaching.

Translation The naturally formed endowment is called human nature, following one's own human nature is called Tao, and cultivating and promoting these Tao is called enlightenment.

2. Those who are in the middle are the foundation of the world. Harmony is the way to achieve peace in the world.

The translation "Zhong" means the great origin of the world, and "harmony" means the universal law of the world.

3. A gentleman is moderate, while a villain is anti-moderate.

Translation: What a gentleman does is consistent with the golden mean, while what a villain does violates the golden mean. (Golden mean: the highest moral standard of Confucianism. "Zhong" means compromise, impartiality; "Yong" means ordinary.)

4. The world can be equal, the title and salary can be dismissed, and the sword can be cut. Yes, moderation is impossible.

Translation: The world and the country can be pacified and governed, titles and salaries can be declined, and bright swords can be stepped on, but the golden mean is difficult to achieve.

5. Therefore, a gentleman is harmonious and does not flow.

Translation Therefore, a gentleman has a peaceful personality and does not follow the crowd.

6. A gentleman walks according to the Tao, but if he fails to do so half-heartedly, I can’t do it.

Translation: A gentleman acts according to the golden mean. Some people give up halfway, but I cannot stop halfway.

7. Don’t blame God 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. You may know it when you are born, you may know it when you learn it, you may know it when you are trapped, or you may know it after learning.

Translation: Some people are born with these truths, some people know these truths through acquired learning, and some people only know these truths after encountering confusion and hardship, no matter what kind of situation, they ultimately understand these truths and the results are the same.

9. Being eager to learn is close to knowledge, practicing is close to benevolence, and knowing shame is close to courage.

Translation: 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.

10. Everything will be established if you hesitate, and it will be ruined if you don’t hesitate.

Translation: If you are prepared in advance, you will succeed; if you are not prepared, you will fail.

11. Learn it extensively, interrogate it, think carefully, discern it clearly, and practice it sincerely.

Translation requires extensive study, careful questioning, cautious thinking, clear analysis, and conscientious implementation.

12. Foolish but fond of self-use, cheap but fond of self-absorption.

Translation Stupid people like to do things based on their subjective wishes and are self-righteous; despicable people like to act arbitrarily. Famous Quotes from "The Doctrine of the Mean" 2

The destiny is called nature; the will of nature is called Tao; the cultivation of Tao is called teaching.

Translation: Human's natural endowment is called "Xing", acting in accordance with nature is called "Tao", and cultivating according to the principles of "Tao" is called "teaching".

The Tao cannot be separated for a moment; it can be separated, but it is not the Tao. Therefore, a gentleman should be cautious about what he does not see and be afraid of what he does not hear. Don't see it, don't hide it, don't show it.

Translation: "Tao" cannot be left for a moment. If it can be left, it is not "Tao". Therefore, people with high moral character are cautious where no one can see them, and they are also cautious where no one can hear them. The more hidden the place is, the more obvious it is, and the more subtle the place, the more obvious it is.

Therefore, a gentleman should be careful about his independence. When joy, anger, sorrow, and joy have not yet arisen, they are called in the middle. When they are all in the middle, they are called harmony. The middle one is the foundation of the world. Harmony is the way to achieve peace in the world. To achieve neutrality, the heaven will have its place and all things will be nurtured.

Translation: People with high moral character are also cautious when they are alone. When joy, anger, sorrow, and joy are not expressed, it is called "Zhong"; when they are expressed and they are consistent 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 "neutral" is reached, heaven and earth will be in their proper place, and all things will grow and multiply.

A gentleman is moderate, while a villain is anti-moderate. A gentleman is moderate, and a gentleman is moderate at times. A villain is mediocre, a villain has no scruples.

Translation: A gentleman’s words and deeds are all in line with the golden mean. Everything a villain does is contrary to the golden mean. The reason why a gentleman can comply with the golden mean is because he can always keep the mean. , there is no fault or inferiority; the reason why villains violate the mean is because they do not understand this principle and do everything without scruples.

I know that the way is not possible: the wise can pass it; the fool cannot do it.

Translation: Confucius said, I know why people do not do things according to objective laws. Smart people tend to overdo it, but stupid people don't do it well. I know why so few people understand the doctrine of moderation. Smart people don't take it seriously, but stupid people can't understand it.

Every country in the world can be equalized; a title or salary can be dismissed; a bare blade can be used; moderation is impossible.

Translation: The world can be governed, the official salary can be given up, the snow-white blade can be trampled over, but moderation is not easy to achieve.