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The Great Learning
By Confucius



What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue;
to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

The point where to rest being known, the object of pursuit is then
determined; and, that being determined, a calm unperturbedness may
be attained to. To that calmness there will succeed a tranquil repose.
In that repose there may be careful deliberation, and that deliberation
will be followed by the attainment of the desired end. 

Things have their root and their branches. Affairs have their end
and their beginning. To know what is first and what is last will lead
near to what is taught in the Great Learning. 

The ancients who wished to illustrate illustrious virtue throughout
the kingdom, first ordered well their own states. Wishing to order
well their states, they first regulated their families. Wishing to
regulate their families, they first cultivated their persons. Wishing
to cultivate their persons, they first rectified their hearts. Wishing
to rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their
thoughts. Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts, they first extended
to the utmost their knowledge. Such extension of knowledge lay in
the investigation of things. 

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge
being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being
sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified,
their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their
families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their states
were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the whole
kingdom was made tranquil and happy. 

From the Son of Heaven down to the mass of the people, all must consider
the cultivation of the person the root of everything besides.

It cannot be, when the root is neglected, that what should spring
from it will be well ordered. It never has been the case that what
was of great importance has been slightly cared for, and, at the same
time, that what was of slight importance has been greatly cared for.

Commentary of the philosopher Tsang

In the Announcement to K'ang, it is said, "He was able to make his
virtue illustrious." 

In the Tai Chia, it is said, "He contemplated and studied the illustrious
decrees of Heaven." 

In the Canon of the emperor (Yao), it is said, "He was able to make
illustrious his lofty virtue." 

These passages all show how those sovereigns made themselves illustrious.

On the bathing tub of T'ang, the following words were engraved: "If
you can one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day. Yea, let
there be daily renovation." 

In the Announcement to K'ang, it is said, "To stir up the new people."

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "Although Chau was an ancient state
the ordinance which lighted on it was new." 

Therefore, the superior man in everything uses his utmost endeavors.

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "The royal domain of a thousand
li is where the people rest." 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "The twittering yellow bird rests
on a corner of the mound." The Master said, "When it rests, it knows
where to rest. Is it possible that a man should not be equal to this
bird?" 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "Profound was King Wan. With how
bright and unceasing a feeling of reverence did he regard his resting
places!" As a sovereign, he rested in benevolence. As a minister,
he rested in reverence. As a son, he rested in filial piety. As a
father, he rested in kindness. In communication with his subjects,
he rested in good faith. 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "Look at that winding course of
the Ch'i, with the green bamboos so luxuriant! Here is our elegant
and accomplished prince! As we cut and then file; as we chisel and
then grind: so has he cultivated himself. How grave is he and dignified!
How majestic and distinguished! Our elegant and accomplished prince
never can be forgotten." That expression-"As we cut and then file,"
the work of learning. "As we chisel and then grind," indicates that
of self-culture. "How grave is he and dignified!" indicates the feeling
of cautious reverence. "How commanding and distinguished! indicates
an awe-inspiring deportment. "Our elegant and accomplished prince
never can be forgotten," indicates how, when virtue is complete and
excellence extreme, the people cannot forget them. 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "Ah! the former kings are not forgotten."
Future princes deem worthy what they deemed worthy, and love what
they loved. The common people delight in what delighted them, and
are benefited by their beneficial arrangements. It is on this account
that the former kings, after they have quitted the world, are not
forgotten. 

The Master said, "In hearing litigations, I am like any other body.
What is necessary is to cause the people to have no litigations."
So, those who are devoid of principle find it impossible to carry
out their speeches, and a great awe would be struck into men's minds;-this
is called knowing the root. 

This is called knowing the root. This is called the perfecting of
knowledge. 

What is meant by "making the thoughts sincere." is the allowing no
self-deception, as when we hate a bad smell, and as when we love what
is beautiful. This is called self-enjoyment. Therefore, the superior
man must be watchful over himself when he is alone. 

There is no evil to which the mean man, dwelling retired, will not
proceed, but when he sees a superior man, he instantly tries to disguise
himself, concealing his evil, and displaying what is good. The other
beholds him, as if he saw his heart and reins;-of what use is his
disguise? This is an instance of the saying -"What truly is within
will be manifested without." Therefore, the superior man must be watchful
over himself when he is alone. 

The disciple Tsang said, "What ten eyes behold, what ten hands point
to, is to be regarded with reverence!" 

Riches adorn a house, and virtue adorns the person. The mind is expanded,
and the body is at ease. Therefore, the superior man must make his
thoughts sincere. 

What is meant by, "The cultivation of the person depends on rectifying
the mind may be thus illustrated:-If a man be under the influence
of passion he will be incorrect in his conduct. He will be the same,
if he is under the influence of terror, or under the influence of
fond regard, or under that of sorrow and distress. 

When the mind is not present, we look and do not see; we hear and
do not understand; we eat and do not know the taste of what we eat.

This is what is meant by saying that the cultivation of the person
depends on the rectifying of the mind. 

What is meant by "The regulation of one's family depends on the cultivation
of his person is this:-men are partial where they feel affection and
love; partial where they despise and dislike; partial where they stand
in awe and reverence; partial where they feel sorrow and compassion;
partial where they are arrogant and rude. Thus it is that there are
few men in the world who love and at the same time know the bad qualities
of the object of their love, or who hate and yet know the excellences
of the object of their hatred. 

Hence it is said, in the common adage,"A man does not know the wickedness
of his son; he does not know the richness of his growing corn."

This is what is meant by saying that if the person be not cultivated,
a man cannot regulate his family. 

What is meant by "In order rightly to govern the state, it is necessary
first to regulate the family," is this:-It is not possible for one
to teach others, while he cannot teach his own family. Therefore,
the ruler, without going beyond his family, completes the lessons
for the state. There is filial piety:-therewith the. sovereign should
be served. There is fraternal submission:-therewith elders and superiors
should be served. There is kindness:-therewith the multitude should
be treated. 

In the Announcement to K'ang, it is said, "Act as if you were watching
over an infant." If a mother is really anxious about it, though she
may not hit exactly the wants of her infant, she will not be far from
doing so. There never has been a girl who learned to bring up a child,
that she might afterwards marry. 

From the loving example of one family a whole state becomes loving,
and from its courtesies the whole state becomes courteous while, from
the ambition and perverseness of the One man, the whole state may
be led to rebellious disorder;-such is the nature of the influence.
This verifies the saying, "Affairs may be ruined by a single sentence;
a kingdom may be settled by its One man." 

Yao and Shun led on the kingdom with benevolence and the people followed
them. Chieh and Chau led on the kingdom with violence, and people
followed them. The orders which these issued were contrary to the
practices which they loved, and so the people did not follow them.
On this account, the ruler must himself be possessed of the good qualities,
and then he may require them in the people. He must not have the bad
qualities in himself, and then he may require that they shall not
be in the people. Never has there been a man, who, not having reference
to his own character and wishes in dealing with others, was able effectually
to instruct them. 

Thus we see how the government of the state depends on the regulation
of the family. 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "That peach tree, so delicate and
elegant! How luxuriant is its foliage! This girl is going to her husband's
house. She will rightly order her household." Let the household be
rightly ordered, and then the people of the state may be taught.

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "They can discharge their duties
to their elder brothers. They can discharge their duties to their
younger brothers." Let the ruler discharge his duties to his elder
and younger brothers, and then he may teach the people of the state.

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "In his deportment there is nothing
wrong; he rectifies all the people of the state." Yes; when the ruler,
as a father, a son, and a brother, is a model, then the people imitate
him. 

This is what is meant by saying, "The government of his kingdom depends
on his regulation of the family." 

What is meant by "The making the whole kingdom peaceful and happy
depends on the government of his state," this:-When the sovereign
behaves to his aged, as the aged should be behaved to, the people
become final; when the sovereign behaves to his elders, as the elders
should be behaved to, the people learn brotherly submission; when
the sovereign treats compassionately the young and helpless, the people
do the same. Thus the ruler has a principle with which, as with a
measuring square, he may regulate his conduct. 

What a man dislikes in his superiors, let him not display in the treatment
of his inferiors; what he dislikes in inferiors, let him not display
in the service of his superiors; what he hates in those who are before
him, let him not therewith precede those who are behind him; what
he hates in those who are behind him, let him not bestow on the left;
what he hates to receive on the left, let him not bestow on the right:-this
is what is called "The principle with which, as with a measuring square,
to regulate one's conduct." 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "How much to be rejoiced in are
these princes, the parents of the people!" When a prince loves what
the people love, and hates what the people hate, then is he what is
called the parent of the people. 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "Lofty is that southern hill, with
its rugged masses of rocks! Greatly distinguished are you, O grand-teacher
Yin, the people all look up to you. "Rulers of states may not neglect
to be careful. If they deviate to a mean selfishness, they will be
a disgrace in the kingdom. 

In the Book of Poetry, it is said, "Before the sovereigns of the Yin
dynasty had lost the hearts of the people, they could appear before
God. Take warning from the house of Yin. The great decree is not easily
preserved." This shows that, by gaining the people, the kingdom is
gained, and, by losing the people, the kingdom is lost. 

On this account, the ruler will first take pains about his own virtue.
Possessing virtue will give him the people. Possessing the people
will give the territory. Possessing the territory will give him its
wealth. Possessing the wealth, he will have resources for expenditure.

Virtue is the root; wealth is the result. 
If he make the root his secondary object, and the result his primary,
he will only wrangle with his people, and teach them rapine.

Hence, the accumulation of wealth is the way to scatter the people;
and the letting it be scattered among them is the way to collect the
people. 

And hence, the ruler's words going forth contrary to right, will come
back to him in the same way, and wealth, gotten by improper ways,
will take its departure by the same. 

In the Announcement to K'ang, it is said, "The decree indeed may not
always rest on us"; that is, goodness obtains the decree, and the
want of goodness loses it. 

In the Book of Ch'u, it is said, "The kingdom of Ch'u does not consider
that to be valuable. It values, instead, its good men." 

Duke Wan's uncle, Fan, said, "Our fugitive does not account that to
be precious. What he considers precious is the affection due to his
parent." 

In the Declaration of the Duke of Ch'in, it is said, "Let me have
but one minister, plain and sincere, not pretending to other abilities,
but with a simple, upright, mind; and possessed of generosity, regarding
the talents of others as though he himself possessed them, and, where
he finds accomplished and perspicacious men, loving them in his heart
more than his mouth expresses, and really showing himself able to
bear them and employ them:-such a minister will be able to preserve
my sons and grandsons and black-haired people, and benefits likewise
to the kingdom may well be looked for from him. But if it be his character,
when he finds men of ability, to be jealous and hate them; and, when
he finds accomplished and perspicacious men, to oppose them and not
allow their advancement, showing himself really not able to bear them:
such a minister will not be able to protect my sons and grandsons
and people; and may he not also be pronounced dangerous to the state?"

It is only the truly virtuous man who can send away such a man and
banish him, driving him out among the barbarous tribes around, determined
not to dwell along with him in the Auddle Kingdom. This is in accordance
with the saying, "It is only the truly virtuous man who can love or
who can hate others." 

To see men of worth and not be able to raise them to office; to raise
them to office, but not to do so quickly:-this is disrespectful. To
see bad men and not be able to remove them; to remove them, but not
to do so to a distance:-this is weakness. 

To love those whom men hate, and to hate those whom men love;-this
is to outrage the natural feeling of men. Calamities cannot fail to
come down on him who does so. 

Thus we see that the sovereign has a great course to pursue. He must
show entire self-devotion and sincerity to attain it, and by pride
and extravagance he will fail of it. 

There is a great course also for the production of wealth. Let the
producers be many and the consumers few. Let there be activity in
the production, and economy in the expenditure. Then the wealth will
always be sufficient. 

The virtuous ruler, by means of his wealth, makes himself more distinguished.
The vicious ruler accumulates wealth, at the expense of his life.

Never has there been a case of the sovereign loving benevolence, and
the people not loving righteousness. Never has there been a case where
the people have loved righteousness, and the affairs of the sovereign
have not been carried to completion. And never has there been a case
where the wealth in such a state, collected in the treasuries and
arsenals, did not continue in the sovereign's possession.

The officer Mang Hsien said, "He who keeps horses and a carriage does
not look after fowls and pigs. The family which keeps its stores of
ice does not rear cattle or sheep. So, the house which possesses a
hundred chariots should not keep a minister to look out for imposts
that he may lay them on the people. Than to have such a minister,
it were better for that house to have one who should rob it of its
revenues." This is in accordance with the saying:-"In a state, pecuniary
gain is not to be considered to be prosperity, but its prosperity
will be found in righteousness." 

When he who presides over a state or a family makes his revenues his
chief business, he must be under the influence of some small, mean
man. He may consider this man to be good; but when such a person is
employed in the administration of a state or family, calamities from
Heaven, and injuries from men, will befall it together, and, though
a good man may take his place, he will not be able to remedy the evil.
This illustrates again the saying, "In a state, gain is not to be
considered prosperity, but its prosperity will be found in righteousness."

THE END

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