“The Text of Confucius” in “the Great Learning,” translated by James Legge, D.D., in the “Sacred Books of the East.” Edited by Max Müller.
| [“The ‘Great Learning’ is a book left by Confucius, and forms the gate by which first learners enter into virtue. That we can now perceive the order in which the Ancients pursued their learning is solely owing to the preservation of this work, the “Analects” and Mencius coming after it Learners must commence their course with this, and then it may be hoped they will be kept from error.”—Preface of the Philosopher Cheng.] |
WHAT the “Great Learning” teaches, is—to illustrate illustrious virtue; to love the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.
The point where to rest being known, the object of pursuit is then determined; and that being determined, calm self-mastery may be attained to. To that calmness there will succeed a tranquil repose. In that repose there may be careful deliberation, and that deliberation will be followed by the attainment (of the desired end.)
Things have their root and their branches; affairs have their end and their beginning. To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught (in the “Great Learning.”)
The Ancients who wished to exemplify illustrious virtue throughout the kingdom first ordered well their own States. Wishing to order well their States, they first regulated their families. Wishing to regulate their families, they first cultivated their own individuality. Wishing to cultivate their individuality, they first rectified their hearts. Wishing to rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their thoughts. Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts, they first extended to the utmost their knowledge.
Such extension of knowledge lay in the investigation of things. Things being investigated, their knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.
From the emperor down to the mass of the people, all must consider the cultivation of the individual mind as the root (of every thing besides.)
It cannot be, when the root is neglected, that what should spring from it will be well ordered. It never has been the case that what was of great importance has been slightly cared for, and, at the same time, that what was of slight importance has been greatly cared for.
