The path of the Great Learning lies in shining forth our innate virtue, guiding others kindly, and resting in ultimate goodness. When you know your proper endpoint, your mind finds firmness; with firmness comes stillness, with stillness comes calm, with calm you can reflect, and through reflection, you reach understanding. All things have roots and branches, all affairs have a start and a finish; by knowing what should come first and what after, you move closer to the Way. In ancient times, those who wished to bring out bright virtue in the world first governed their own states well. To govern their states, they first brought harmony to their families. To harmonize their families, they first refined themselves. To refine themselves, they straightened out their hearts. To straighten their hearts, they made their intentions sincere. To make their intentions sincere, they pursued true knowledge, which rests in understanding the nature of things. When things are understood, knowledge is complete; with knowledge complete, intentions become sincere; with sincere intentions, the heart is upright; with an upright heart, the self is cultivated; with the self cultivated, the family is well-ordered; with the family ordered, the state is well-governed; and with the state governed, the world finds peace.