The Doctrine of the Mean. Introduction by Chu Hsi.

My master, the philosopher Ch'ang, says ‹ "Being without inclination to either side is called Chung; admitting of no change is called Yung. By Chung is denoted the correct course to be pursued by all under heaven; by Yung is denoted the fixed principle regulating all under heaven. This work contains the law of the mind, which was handed down from one to another, in the Confucian school, till Tsze-sze, fearing lest in the course of time errors should arise about it, committed it to writing, and delivered it to Mencius. The Book first speaks of one principle; it next spreads this out, and embraces all things; finally, it returns and gathers them all up under the one principle. Unroll it, and it fills the universe; roll it up, and it retires and lies hid in mysteriousness. The relish of it is inexhaustible. The whole of it is solid learning. When the skillful reader has explored it with delight till he has apprehended it, he may carry it into practice all his life, and will find that it cannot be exhausted."

Text source: The Doctrine of the Mean. Translated by James Legge.

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China - Ancient - Philosophy - Chinese Confucians - Chinese translation