Eastern and Western Monthly Review

Author: Chief Editor: Li Jiemin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Excerpt: The preface is clear, so the inscriptions on Tang's plate say, "If one can renew daily, renew daily again and again, then the bright virtue can be attained." The Master said, "He who has heard much should keep doubts, speak cautiously of the rest, and thus avoid blame and see more dangers. He who acts cautiously of the rest will attend to the principles of things, and there will be few faults in his actions. His reward will be within." It is also said, "Open widely and choose the good to follow." Therefore, one must cover the vastness of learning, and all the arts and literature in the world, though diverse in speech, are of one body. Observe and verify them thoroughly.
Moreover, because of filial piety and fraternal duty, one should prioritize filial piety and fraternal duty. Since people's talents differ, the state should distinguish and combine the knowledge of all, so that "seeking knowledge is in investigating things." This is what is meant. As for being a successor, one must be firm in upholding propriety and righteousness and cautious in maintaining integrity and shame. In filial piety and fraternal duty, one should be a person. The Book of Songs says, "I have heard that those who come from deep valleys move to tall trees, but I have never heard of those who move from tall trees to deep valleys." Thus, filial piety comes out, and one should be diligent and trustworthy, love the masses, and be close to benevolence. With surplus strength, one should engage in culture. The Book of Documents says, "This is the way of the nobleman." Choosing a method is like a bird choosing a nest—once it advances, it never retreats. Pursue it and hold it for life. Be devoted to the Way, grounded in virtue, rely on benevolence, and roam in culture.
Since God created the people, none have been given the nature of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. How can customs decline? Truly, I fear that because of the wise, the Han language is used to publish texts, and many doubt it as a trick. Yet, it is regrettable that heretical views deceive the world and fill the void of benevolence and righteousness, and they are now mixed and. Therefore, schools and schools are set up, and people do not consider the unity of clans and the nation as the division of water and branches, though they are distant and different. All are considered in the plan of nurturing talent and civilizing the people. Thus, it is said, "If the city walls are not complete and the weapons are not sufficient, it is not the lack of power but the lack of unity. The source is one." Therefore, people should treat their clans and the nation as friends, and the spirit of the country will be preserved. If the fields are not cultivated and wealth is not gathered, it is the harm of the state. If the superiors lack propriety and the subordinates lack learning, and the lowly are not pitied, it will be like the body having four limbs and a hundred parts, with blood vessels connected and pain related. The people will prosper and the state will be in harmony.
From this perspective, the revival of the upright way and the suppression of heresy, the publication of texts, and the clarification of the situation are the words of the nobleman, which cannot be abandoned. The Master said, "When one encounters benevolence, one should not hesitate to yield to the teacher." This is the virtue of having no constant teacher. The nobleman is good at being a teacher, and the nobleman has no constant master. Harmony is achieved in the external and internal bonds. If you regard foreigners and Chinese as brothers, please understand this well.
The Master said, "One person's actions must have a teacher." Where one lives, one should be respectful in handling affairs and reverent in serving others. Be loyal to others, even to the barbarians. Do not be negligent of the culture of distant people. This is not to be abandoned. It is also said that only the wise and the foolish do not change. Those who love benevolence but do not love learning are foolish. Those who love knowledge but do not love learning are in danger. Those who love trust but do not love learning are in danger. Those who love straightforwardness but do not love learning are in danger. Those who love courage but do not love learning are in danger. Those who love stubbornness but do not love learning are in danger. The nobleman, like the sun, returns to the old customs, and all the countries are at peace. Then, the four seas become one family, and the people of the world are one. The inside and outside are close, like cutting, polishing, and grinding. Therefore, the nobleman takes the principles of knowledge and continuously seeks the ultimate truth.
Willingly, I wish to promote the meaning of harmony and unite the distant and close. Therefore, I compiled this text. Readers should not neglect it. Then, at its extreme, the inside and outside of all things, the fine and coarse, are not left out, and the whole body and function of my heart are not joyful and victorious.
Preface: The eighth day of the third month of the Gengsi year of the Daoguang era.