University · Moderate

Chapter 7 Explanation of the Chapter "Investigating Things and Acquiring Knowledge"
[Original text]

This is called Zhiben①.This is known as the ultimate in knowledge ②.

【Note】

① This is called Zhiben: This sentence is repeated with the above, and it is suspected to be an extension.Cheng Zi said: "Yanwen also."

②This sentence is the concluding remark in terms of tone, and it can be inferred that there must be a passage (transmission) above, which was probably missed when it was circulated.Zhu Zi said: "There is a special sentence above this sentence, especially the conclusion."

Zhu Xi believed that "there is a unique text" above this sentence.According to Zhu Xi's opinion, this Quewen is a biography explaining the meaning of "investigating things" and "extending knowledge".For this reason, he specially wrote the chapter "Investigating Things to Know" and systematically developed his philosophical epistemological thought of "Investigating Things and Improving Knowledge", which was added to the article of "University".We believe that Zhu Xi's chapter "Investigating Wu Zhizhi" is not the original text of "Great Learning", but it is helpful to the integrity of the "Great Learning" system, so it is reproduced under this chapter, with annotations and translations.

【Translation】

This is called understanding the fundamental principles.This is called the thoroughness of knowledge, that is, entering the highest state of "knowledge".

[Zhu Xi Supplement]

The five chapters of Youzhuan explain the meaning of "searching things and extending knowledge", but now it is dead ①, and I tried to steal Cheng Zi's meaning to make up for it ②, saying: "The so-called extension of knowledge lies in the investigation of things. The reason is poor. The spirit of the human heart is full of knowledge, and there is no reason in the world. But the reason is not exhausted, so its knowledge is inexhaustible. It is the beginning of teaching in "University", which will make scholars even All the things in the world, because of the known principles, can be exhausted and exhausted, so as to reach the extreme. As for the long-term use of force, once it is suddenly penetrated ③, the surface and inner essence of all things ④ will not be missed; and my heart The great use of the entire body is clear. This is called the object, and this is called the ultimate in knowledge.”

【Note】

① Dead: lost.

② Leisure: Recently.Taste: once.Plagiarism: privately.

③Suddenly penetrating: Sudden comprehension, integration and penetration of various knowledge or principles.

④ Exterior and interior fineness and roughness: appearance refers to the surface phenomenon of things.Li refers to the internal connection of things.Fine, refers to the fine truth.Rough, refers to the superficial truth.

【Translation】

Zhu Xi said that the above paragraph is Chapter 5 of Chuanwen, which explains the meaning of "investigating things and extending knowledge".However, the full text of "Biography" is now lost.In my free time, I used Mr. Cheng Yi’s point of view to supplement it as follows: “The meaning of ‘extending knowledge in the investigation of things’ mentioned in the scriptures means that if we want to have a clear understanding, we should contact external objects and understand each Things try their best to explore their truths. Generally speaking, because people’s minds are clever, they all have the ability to understand; and all things in the world contain various truths. It’s just because some people have not tried their best to explore these truths, so His understanding is somewhat incomplete."

"Therefore, the "Great Learning" chapter begins to teach people, and it is necessary to educate those who are scholars to further explore the principles of all things based on the principles they already know, so that they can reach the pinnacle of understanding (height, depth, etc.) , breadth). After such long-term study, one day you will suddenly comprehend and master all aspects of knowledge or skills. Then, there is nothing that cannot be understood from the superficial phenomena, internal connections, and subtle and superficial principles of all things. So far, our understanding On the whole, in terms of application (to all things), everything is insightful and clear. This is what is called trying to explore and exhaust the principles of things, and this is what is called having a very thorough understanding of things.”

(End of this chapter)