The Way

Submitted by Chris Webster on Sun, 2009/02/08 - 03:08
The Four Books: The Basic Teachings of the Later Confucian Tradition

“To be true is the Way of heaven. To make oneself true is the Way of man. He who is true [i.e., whose virtue is naturally in accord with heavenly principle] maintains perfect balance without effort and apprehends without thinking; he is centred naturally and comfortably in the Way. Such is the sage! He who makes himself true chooses the good and holds to it firmly.”

“Study it widely, inquire into it thoroughly, ponder it carefully, sift it clearly, practice it diligently.”

“Some things he [the superior man] may not study; when he does study he does not desist until he understands it. Some things he may not inquire about; when he does inquire he does not desist until he knows the answer. Some things he may not ponder; when he does ponder he does not desist until he gets it. Some things he may not sift; when he does sift he does not desist until he is clear. Some things he may not practice; when he does practice he does not desist until his practice is diligent. What a person can do in one try, he will dedicate a hundred tries to; what a person can do in ten tries, he will dedicate a thousand tries to.”

“If truly capable of pursuing this path, even the dullard is certain to gain clear understanding, and even the weak is certain to grow strong.”

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