The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhong Yong)ConfucianismAccepted ScriptureClassical ChineseShareThe Doctrine of the Mean 21James Legge (1861) - EnglishMoreVersion - 1 availableJames Legge (1861)LanguageEnglishEspañol‹The Doctrine of the Mean 1The Doctrine of the Mean 2The Doctrine of the Mean 3The Doctrine of the Mean 4The Doctrine of the Mean 5The Doctrine of the Mean 6The Doctrine of the Mean 7The Doctrine of the Mean 8The Doctrine of the Mean 9The Doctrine of the Mean 10The Doctrine of the Mean 11The Doctrine of the Mean 12The Doctrine of the Mean 13The Doctrine of the Mean 14The Doctrine of the Mean 15The Doctrine of the Mean 16The Doctrine of the Mean 17The Doctrine of the Mean 18The Doctrine of the Mean 19The Doctrine of the Mean 20The Doctrine of the Mean 21The Doctrine of the Mean 22The Doctrine of the Mean 23The Doctrine of the Mean 24The Doctrine of the Mean 25The Doctrine of the Mean 26The Doctrine of the Mean 27The Doctrine of the Mean 28The Doctrine of the Mean 29The Doctrine of the Mean 30The Doctrine of the Mean 31The Doctrine of the Mean 32The Doctrine of the Mean 33The Doctrine of the Mean 34The Doctrine of the Mean 35The Doctrine of the Mean 36The Doctrine of the Mean 37The Doctrine of the Mean 38The Doctrine of the Mean 39›Section 21 (1)The Doctrine of the Mean 21ListenPlay this chapter in spoken English.Save chapterListen to chapterThe Master said, "To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge. To practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity. To possess the feeling of shame is to be near to energy. He who knows these three things knows how to cultivate his own character. Knowing how to cultivate his own character, he knows how to govern other men. Knowing how to govern other men, he knows how to govern the kingdom with all its states and families. All who have the government of the kingdom with its states and families have nine standard rules to follow;-viz., the cultivation of their own characters; the honoring of men of virtue and talents; affection towards their relatives; respect towards the great ministers; kind and considerate treatment of the whole body of officers; dealing with the mass of the people as children; encouraging the resort of all classes of artisans; indulgent treatment of men from a distance; and the kindly cherishing of the princes of the states. By the ruler's cultivation of his own character, the duties of universal obligation are set forth. By honoring men of virtue and talents, he is preserved from errors of judgment. By showing affection to his relatives, there is no grumbling nor resentment among his uncles and brethren. By respecting the great ministers, he is kept from errors in the practice of government. By kind and considerate treatment of the whole body of officers, they are led to make the most grateful return for his courtesies. By dealing with the mass of the people as his children, they are led to exhort one another to what is good. By encouraging the resort of an classes of artisans, his resources for expenditure are rendered ample. By indulgent treatment of men from a distance, they are brought to resort to him from all quarters. And by kindly cherishing the princes of the states, the whole kingdom is brought to revere him. Self-adjustment and purification, with careful regulation of his dress, and the not making a movement contrary to the rules of propriety this is the way for a ruler to cultivate his person. Discarding slanderers, and keeping himself from the seductions of beauty; making light of riches, and giving honor to virtue-this is the way for him to encourage men of worth and talents. Giving them places of honor and large emolument. and sharing with them in their likes and dislikes-this is the way for him to encourage his relatives to love him. Giving them numerous officers to discharge their orders and commissions:-this is the way for him to encourage the great ministers. According to them a generous confidence, and making their emoluments large:-this is the way to encourage the body of officers. Employing them only at the proper times, and making the imposts light:-this is the way to encourage the people. By daily examinations and monthly trials, and by making their rations in accordance with their labors:-this is the way to encourage the classes of artisans. To escort them on their departure and meet them on their coming; to commend the good among them, and show compassion to the incompetent:-this is the way to treat indulgently men from a distance. To restore families whose line of succession has been broken, and to revive states that have been extinguished; to reduce to order states that are in confusion, and support those which are in peril; to have fixed times for their own reception at court, and the reception of their envoys; to send them away after liberal treatment, and welcome their coming with small contributions: this is the way to cherish the princes of the states. All who have the government of the kingdom with its states and families have the above nine standard rules. And the means by which they are carried into practice is singleness. ‹Previous chapterThe Doctrine of the Mean 20Next chapterThe Doctrine of the Mean 22›Similar passagesBy tradition and source labelFind similarCompare selectedCompare with similarAsk Deep ThoughtSelect passages to search for parallels.Tap any verse to select it, then compare selected passages or ask Deep Thought. Public domain