University · Moderate

Chapter 14
[Original text]

Destiny is called nature①, straightforwardness is called Tao②, and cultivating the Tao is called teaching③.

The Dao is one that cannot be separated even for a moment; if it can be separated, it is not the Dao.That's why a gentleman is cautious about what he doesn't see, and afraid of what he doesn't hear.Nothing can be seen or hidden ⑤, nothing can be seen or seen in the subtle ⑥, so a gentleman should be careful about his independence.

【Note】

① The nature of destiny: destiny is the principle of heaven.Confucianism believes that the principles of heaven are expressed as yin, yang, and the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.Heaven endows human beings with the principles of heaven, forming human virtues such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith. This is human nature.Of, particle.Called, called.

②Frankness means Tao: rate, follow.Dao refers to the universal law that the movement and change of things should follow.That is to say, the principle that people must follow is to act in accordance with the human nature determined by the destiny, otherwise it will be treason.

③Cultivating the Tao means teaching: To practice the Tao means to cultivate oneself according to the principles of morality.Teaching, politics and education, enlightenment.The ruling class implements rule through the method of spiritual influence, which is the enlightenment advocated by Confucianism.This teaching must follow the principles of the right way.

④微微 (yú): A moment.

⑤ Mo Jian Hu Yin: Mo, no, no.见 (xiàn), same as "present", performance, embodiment.Almost, same as "yu", expressing comparison.Hidden, concealed, dark place.This refers to subtle changes in the heart.

⑥Mo Xianhuwei: Significant, significant, revealed.Micro, trivial, subtle.This refers to things that ordinary people do not notice.

【Translation】

Heaven endows the principles of heaven to human beings to form moral character, which is "nature", and acting in accordance with the principles of natural development of nature is "Tao".

"Tao" cannot be left for a moment, if you can leave for a moment, then it is not "Tao".Therefore, a virtuous person is cautious even where others cannot see, and even where others cannot hear, he pays attention with fear.Nothing is more conspicuous than in darkness, nothing more apparent than in subtlety.Therefore, a gentleman should be very cautious when he is alone.

[Original text]

Joy, anger, sorrow, and joy are not expressed, which is called the middle;Those who are in the middle are the foundation of the world; those who are in harmony are the Dao of the world.To ④ neutralization, the heaven and earth are in harmony, and all things are nurtured.

【Note】

① Meaning: It means that people have no contact with external things.Therefore, my own feelings of joy, anger, sorrow and joy cannot be expressed.In the middle, there are no faults and deficiencies, and they are impartial. "The Doctrine of the Mean" believes that people's hearts are in a state of emptiness, tranquility, indifference, and impartiality, which is called "middle".

②Fa Erjie Zhongjie: Fat, exposed.中 (zhòng), fit, meet.Festival, law, common sense. The "Doctrine of the Mean" believes that people's emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and joy must conform to common sense. If this is done, the emotions will be neutral and harmonious, which is "harmony".

③ Da Dao: "The Doctrine of the Mean" believes that the harmony of human emotions is the common principle followed by the world, so it is called "Da Dao".

④ Zhi: pass "to", to arrive.

【Translation】

When people's emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and joy are not expressed (at this time, people's hearts are in a state of emptiness, tranquility, indifference, and impartiality) it is called "middle".After it is revealed, it conforms to natural common sense and social law (doing this, the emotions are harmonious and harmonious) is called "harmony". "Zhong" is the greatest foundation of people in the world; "harmony" is the universal principle that people in the world work together.When the state of "neutralization" is reached, the heaven and the earth will be in their respective positions and run continuously, and all things will grow and develop in their respective places.

[Zhu Xi Tips]

On the right Chapter 1, Zisi stated the meaning of the transmission to make a statement.Firstly, the origin of Dao comes from heaven and cannot be changed, and its substance is prepared by oneself and cannot be separated. Second, it is the key point of "preservation and self-examination", and finally it is the ultimate point of "sacred spirit transformation".For scholars here, instead of looking for the body and gaining it, to get rid of the selfishness of the husband's external temptation, and to fill the original good, Yang's ① so-called one article is the same.In the next ten chapters, Gai Zisi quotes the words of the Master to conclude the meaning of this chapter.

【Note】

①Yang's family: Yang Shi, courtesy name Zhongli, was born in Jiangle (now Jiangle County, Fujian Province) in the Song Dynasty.A Neo Confucianist in the Northern Song Dynasty, a direct bachelor from Longtu Pavilion.He taught Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi successively.The theories of Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi all originated from Yang.

【Translation】

Zhu Xi said that the above paragraph is Chapter 1, Zisi passed on the opinions of Confucius to create "The Doctrine of the Mean".First of all, it is explained that the origin of "Tao" is from heaven and cannot be changed, and the entity of "Tao" exists in ourselves and cannot be separated; secondly, it explains the main points of "preservation and self-examination"; the highest state.The purpose of this is nothing more than to make those who do learning, in turn, ask themselves to comprehend its truth.Eliminate selfish desires caused by external temptations, and enrich the natural nature.This is what Mr. Yang Shi said: This chapter is the program of the book "The Doctrine of the Mean".In the following ten chapters, Zisi quotes the words of Confucius to clarify the meaning of this chapter.

(End of this chapter)