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Zhongyong Introduction Table of content – The Doctrine of the Mean

Confucius' grandson comments about the Way and human nature. Tr. Legge (en)

I
II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI
XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX XXXI XXXII
XXXIII

XXIX. An illustration of the sentence in the twenty-seventh chapter– "When he occupies a high station he is not proud;" or rather, the Sage and his institutions seen in their effect and issue.

Zhongyong XXIX. 1.

He who attains to the sovereignty of the kingdom, having those three important things, shall be able to effect that there shall be few errors under his government.

Legge XXIX.1.

——议礼、制度、考文——,这样做了,将减少过失吧!在周以前,虽然做得好,却无从证明。不能证明,别人就不大相信;不大相信,百姓就不听从。在民间的圣人,虽然有研究,但不在最尊贵的地位,别人也不大相信;别人不大相信,百姓就不听从。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XXIX. 2.

However excellent may have been the regulations of those of former times, they cannot be attested. Not being attested, they cannot command credence, and not being credited, the people would not follow them. However excellent might be the regulations made by one in an inferior situation, he is not in a position to be honored. Unhonored, he cannot command credence, and not being credited, the people would not follow his rules.

Legge XXIX.2.

所以君子的学说,要从本身的才德出发,再从老百姓那里验证是不是听从,然后考证夏、商、周三代盛世是否有谬误,建立于天地之间不相违背,向鬼神质正而没有怀疑,等到百代以后圣人出世而不会有疑惑。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XXIX. 3.

Therefore the institutions of the Ruler are rooted in his own character and conduct, and sufficient attestation of them is given by the masses of the people. He examines them by comparison with those of the three kings, and finds them without mistake. He sets them up before Heaven and Earth, and finds nothing in them contrary to their mode of operation. He presents himself with them before spiritual beings, and no doubts about them arise. He is prepared to wait for the rise of a sage a hundred ages after, and has no misgivings.

Legge XXIX.3.

向鬼神质正没有怀疑。这是懂得天理;等到百代以后圣人出世而不会有疑惑,这是懂得人情。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XXIX. 4.

His presenting himself with his institutions before spiritual beings, without any doubts arising about them, shows that he knows Heaven. His being prepared, without any misgivings, to wait for the rise of a sage a hundred ages after, shows that he knows men.

Legge XXIX.4.

所以,这样统一天下的人,一举一动,世世代代可以为天下的法度;一言一行,世世代代可以为天下的规范。远离他,则他为天下人所仰慕,接近他,却从不感到厌倦。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XXIX. 5.

Such being the case, the movements of such a ruler, illustrating his institutions, constitute an example to the world for ages. His acts are for ages a law to the kingdom. His words are for ages a lesson to the kingdom. Those who are far from him, look longingly for him; and those who are near him, are never wearied with him.

Legge XXIX.5.

《诗经·周颂·振鹭》上说:“他在那里不被人怨恨,在这儿不被人讨厌,早早晚晚努力不倦,庶几乎美名传扬无止境。”君子没有不这样而能早称誉于天下后世的。

白话翻译

Zhongyong XXIX. 6.

It is said in the Book of Poetry,– "Not disliked there, not tired of here, from day to day and night to night, will they perpetuate their praise." Never has there been a ruler, who did not realize this description, that obtained an early renown throughout the kingdom.

Legge XXIX.6.

孔子以尧舜之道为远祖而加以传述,取法周文王、武王之道而加以阐明;上则效法天时的运行,下则因袭水土的习性加以利用,

白话翻译

Zhongyong XXIX. Table of content
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The Doctrine of the Mean – Zhongyong XXIX – Chinese off/onFrançais/English
Alias Zhong Yong, Chung Yung, Tchong Yong, The Unwobbling Pivot (Pound), La Régulation à usage ordinaire (Jullien).

The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
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