Source: the golden mean
Selected works of the golden mean:
Therefore, a gentleman respects morality and seeks knowledge, making it profound. Very clear and gentle. Review the old and learn the new, with trepidation. Not arrogant and impetuous in the former residence, but not inferior; There are state-owned roads, and their words are enough to prosper the country;
There is nothing the country can do. Silence is enough. The poem says, "Be wise, be wise, and protect your body." This is called peace!
Translation:
Therefore, a gentleman should respect virtue, be good at asking questions, reach a broad realm and be thorough and meticulous, reach the ultimate wisdom, and follow the golden mean.
Review what you have learned in the past to gain new knowledge and respect etiquette with a simple and honest attitude. In this way, you will not be proud when you are in the upper position, and you will not turn your back when you are in the lower position.
Try to be accepted when the national politics is clear, and save yourself by silence when the national politics is dark. There is a saying in the Book of Songs:' You must have both knowledge and wisdom to protect yourself'. That's what you mean! "
Extended data:
The Doctrine of the Mean is a monograph of Confucian moral philosophy on the realm of life accomplishment, and it is one of the ancient Confucian classics in China. Originally the thirty-first chapter of the Book of Rites, it was said that it was written by Zi Si during the Warring States Period.
Its content affirms that "the golden mean" is the highest standard of moral behavior, regards "sincerity" as the noumenon of the world, thinks that "sincerity" reaches the highest realm of life, and puts forward the learning process and cognitive methods of "erudition, questioning, deliberation, discernment and perseverance".
It was extracted from the Book of Rites in the Song Dynasty and merged with Daxue, Analects of Confucius and Mencius into four books. After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, it became an official textbook, which was required for imperial examinations, and had a great influence on ancient education in China.
References:
Baidu encyclopedia-the golden mean