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<h1>"The Mean" introduction:</h1>
"Zhongyong" was originally a piece in the "Little Dai Li". The author is a descendant of Confucius, Zi Si, which was later revised and sorted out by Scholars of the Qin Dynasty. "Zhongyong" was mentioned by Song Dynasty scholars to a prominent position, the Song generation explored no less than a hundred articles on the way of moderation, and the Northern Song Dynasty Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi vigorously respected "Zhongyong". In the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi also composed the "Zhongyong Chapters and Sentences", and called the "Zhongyong" alongside the "University", "Analects", and "Mencius" as the "Four Books". After the Song Dynasty and the Yuan Dynasty, "Zhongyong" became a textbook for school officials and a compulsory reading for the imperial examination, which had a great impact on ancient education. Moderation is the nature of a man who is neither good nor evil. From the perspective of human nature, it is the origin of human nature, the fundamental wisdom nature of human beings. In essence, it is expressed in modern words as a "critical point", which is the "middle way" that is difficult to grasp.
<h1>The Middle Way (Chapters 16 and 17) Original text and commentary:</h1>
【Original】
Zi Yue: "The virtue of the ghosts and gods is magnificent!" See it, hear it, and leave it behind. Let the people of the world, Qi Ming, serve (1) to undertake sacrifices. Boom! As on it, as on its left and right. The Psalms say, "The Guth of God is incomprehensible, and the mind can be shot." '(2) The manifestation of the husband is invisible, and the sincerity is unconcealed (3) Such a husband! (Chapter XVI)
【Notes】
(1) Qi (zhai): Pass "fasting", fasting. Bright, clean. Dress: That is, dressage. (2) "God's Guth...": Quoted from the Book of Verses; Daya. Or." Grid, come on. Thoughts, tone words. Degrees, speculations. Shen, moreover. Shooting (yi), boredom, refers to disgust and disrespect. (3) Mask: Cover.
【Translation】
Confucius said, "The virtue of the ghost gods is really great!" It cannot be seen, nor heard, but it is embodied in all things that make it impossible for people to leave it. People all over the world fast and purify their hearts, wear solemn and neat clothing to sacrifice it, everywhere! It seems to be right on your head, as if it's right around you. The Book of Verses says, 'The coming of God is unthinkable, so how can it be neglected and disrespectful?' From subtle to significant, the real thing is so unconcealable! ”
【Reading】
This chapter uses Confucius's exposition of ghosts and gods to illustrate that the Tao is omnipresent and that the Tao "must not be detached." ”
On the other hand, it is also in accordance with the twelfth chapter that "the way of a gentleman is expensive and hidden", which is vast and subtle. It is invisible to see, it is not heard to hear it is "hidden", it is subtle; but it is embodied in all things so that people cannot leave it, it is "fee", it is vast.
To make an image analogy, the Tao or the ghosts and gods are like air, invisible and inaudible, but everywhere, all the time, and no one can do without it.
That being the case, of course, everyone should be converted, just like the devout worship of ghosts and gods.
Zi Yue: "Shunqi Great Filial Piety also with?" Virtue is a saint, revered as the Son of Heaven, rich in all corners of the world. Zongmiao (1), descendants of Baozhi. Therefore great virtue will gain his place, he will receive his name, he will gain his life. Therefore, the creatures of heaven will be devoted (3) by their materials (2). Therefore, those who cultivate it (4) and those who overturn it (5) do it. The poem says: "Gentleman of Jiale, Constitutional Decree." Pleasant to the people, subject to heaven. Bless the destiny, from heaven to the heavens. (6) Therefore the great ones will be ordained. (Chapter XVII)
(1) Zongmiao Temple: The place where the ancient Heavenly Sons and princes sacrificed to the previous kings. Xiang (飨): A form of sacrifice to the first king. The pronoun, refers to Shun. (2) Material, qualification, nature. (3) Du: Thick, here refers to generous treatment. (4) Cultivation: cultivation. (5) Overturning: overturning, destroying. (6) "Jiale Junzi...": Quoted from the Book of Poetry, Daya False Music. Jiale, that is, the "false music" of the Book of Poetry, "false" through "Jia", means beauty and goodness. Xian Xian, the Book of Poetry, is "manifested", showing the appearance of prosperity. Order, beautiful. Shen, reiterated.
Confucius said, "Shun should be the most filial person, right?" He is a saint in virtue, a noble son of heaven in status, possesses the whole world in wealth, sacrifices him in the temple, and maintains his deeds for his children and grandchildren. Therefore, a man of great virtue must get the position he deserves, he must get the wealth he deserves, he must get the fame he deserves, and he must get the longevity he deserves. Therefore, the Upper Heavenly Beings, who nurture all things, must treat them according to their qualifications. Those who can grow into materials are cultivated, and those who cannot be made into materials are eliminated. The Book of Verses says, "A noble and elegant gentleman, with bright and beautiful virtues, allows the people to live and work in peace and contentment, and to enjoy the blessings of God." God blessed him, appointed him, and gave him a great mission. Therefore, those who have great virtue will surely bear the destiny of heaven. ”
I am born to be useful.
As long as you cultivate yourself and improve your virtue, "live in a good way", one day you will be ordained by heaven and take on the heavy responsibility of governing the country and the world. By then, fame, status, and wealth are all gone, and they will all be there. As Vasily, the protagonist of the Soviet feature film Lenin in October, said: "There will be bread, everything will be." ”
From this point of view, Confucianism does not absolutely reject utilitarianism, but only opposes the practice of rushing for quick success and quick profit, restlessly guarding oneself. In other words, what Confucianism emphasizes is to start from the practice of internal skills, cultivate oneself, improve one's own virtues and talents, and then go with the flow and get everything you deserve.
This is actually the spirit of the middle way - everything does not take the side, does not go to the extreme, but goes step by step, step by step.
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