The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhong Yong)ConfucianismAccepted ScriptureClassical ChineseShareThe Doctrine of the Mean 27James 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 27 (1)The Doctrine of the Mean 27ListenPlay this chapter in spoken English.Save chapterListen to chapterThe way of Heaven and Earth may be completely declared in one sentence. They are without any doubleness, and so they produce things in a manner that is unfathomable. The way of Heaven and Earth is large and substantial, high and brilliant, far-reaching and long-enduring. The Heaven now before us is only this bright shining spot; but when viewed in its inexhaustible extent, the sun, moon, stars, and constellations of the zodiac, are suspended in it, and all things are overspread by it. The earth before us is but a handful of soil; but when regarded in its breadth and thickness, it sustains mountains like the Hwa and the Yo, without feeling their weight, and contains the rivers and seas, without their leaking away. The mountain now before us appears only a stone; but when contemplated in all the vastness of its size, we see how the grass and trees are produced on it, and birds and beasts dwell on it, and precious things which men treasure up are found on it. The water now before us appears but a ladleful; yet extending our view to its unfathomable depths, the largest tortoises, iguanas, iguanodons, dragons, fishes, and turtles, are produced in it, articles of value and sources of wealth abound in it. It is said in the Book of Poetry, "The ordinances of Heaven, how profound are they and unceasing!" The meaning is, that it is thus that Heaven is Heaven. And again, "How illustrious was it, the singleness of the virtue of King Wen!" indicating that it was thus that King Wen was what he was. Singleness likewise is unceasing. ‹Previous chapterThe Doctrine of the Mean 26Next chapterThe Doctrine of the Mean 28›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