大學之道大学之道
曾子曾子
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大大學学之之道道
在在明明明明德德
在在親亲民民
在在止止於于至至善善
知知止止而而后后有有定定
定定而而后后能能靜静
靜静而而后后能能安安
安安而而后后能能慮虑
慮虑而而后后能能得得
物物有有本本末末
事事有有終终始始
知知所所先先後后
則则近近道道矣矣
About this text
The opening of the Great Learning (大學), one of the Four Books — the classic statement of the Confucian program of self-cultivation. In a handful of lines it lays out the three guiding principles (明明德 illustrate bright virtue · 親民 renew the people · 止於至善 rest in the highest good) and the chain that leads from a settled mind to real attainment. Memorised by every student for centuries; a fitting first text.
白話 · in plain Chinese
大學的宗旨，在於彰明人本有的光明德性，在於親愛、革新人民，在於使人達到至善的境界。知道應當止於至善，然後心志才有定向；有了定向，然後心境才能寧靜；心境寧靜，然後才能安穩；安穩，然後才能思慮周詳；思慮周詳，然後才能有所得。萬物都有本有末，凡事都有始有終；懂得先後次序，就接近大學之道了。大学的宗旨，在于彰明人本有的光明德性，在于亲爱、革新人民，在于使人达到至善的境界。知道应当止于至善，然后心志才有定向；有了定向，然后心境才能宁静；心境宁静，然后才能安稳；安稳，然后才能思虑周详；思虑周详，然后才能有所得。万物都有本有末，凡事都有始有终；懂得先后次序，就接近大学之道了。
Translation
What the Great Learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate 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, a calm unperturbedness 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.
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