The Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean are portions of the Li Chi (The Book of Rites) which became two of the "Four Confucian Books", along with Confucius and Mencius. The traditional commentary on them is by the great Neo-Confucian scholar Chu Hsi. Here are his short introductions, summaries reallly, to each work.
(Throughout the text, <€CH> indicates the commentary by Chu Hsi. Generally found at the end of the regular text, and here given as well in field 3.)
<€CH> My master, the philosopher Ch'ang, says: "The Great Learning is a Book transmitted by the Confucian School, and forms the gate by which the first learners enter into virtue. That we can now perceive the order in which the ancients pursued their learning is solely owing to the preservation of this work, the Analects and Mencius coming after it. Learners must commence their course with this, and then it may be hoped they will be kept from error."
The Doctrine of the Mean. Introduction by Chu Hsi. €DM
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."
(Throughout the text, <€CH> indicates the commentary by Chu Hsi. Generally found at the end of the regular text, and here given as well in field 3.)
<€CH> My master, the philosopher Ch'ang, says: "The Great Learning is a Book transmitted by the Confucian School, and forms the gate by which the first learners enter into virtue. That we can now perceive the order in which the ancients pursued their learning is solely owing to the preservation of this work, the Analects and Mencius coming after it. Learners must commence their course with this, and then it may be hoped they will be kept from error."
The Doctrine of the Mean. Introduction by Chu Hsi. €DM
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."
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Text source: €CH indicates the commentary by Chu Hsi. Generally found at the end of the regular text. In the Great Learning given as well in field 3, short/summary.
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place time topic people language
China - Ancient - Philosophy - Chinese Confucians - Chinese translation
China - Ancient - Philosophy - Chinese Confucians - Chinese translation
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