University · The Doctrine of the Mean ·: Written and Colloquial, Chinese-English Parallel Translation

Author: Fu Yunlong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: The fundamental content of The Great Learning discusses the art of self-cultivation and governing others, which is also known as the Confucian path of inner sage and outer king. It clearly proposes the "Three Cardinal Principles" and the "Eightfold Path." The "Three Cardinal Principles" are "illuminating the bright virtue," "renewing the people," and "reaching perfection." The "Eightfold Path" includes "investigating things," "extending knowledge," "sincerity of mind," "rectifying the mind," "self-cultivation," "regulating the family," "governing the state," and "peacefully subduing the world." Among these, the first four steps pertain to the study of the inner sage, focusing on personal cultivation, while the last two steps belong to the study of the outer king, focusing on governing the world. The step of "self-cultivation" lies between the two, serving as both the culmination of the first four steps and the starting point for the last two.