Original text:
The way of university is to be moral, to be close to the people and to stop at perfection. Zhi Zhi then decided: calm down first and then be quiet; Be quiet before you can be safe; Worry first; Think about it before you take it. Things start and end, and things end.
If you know the order, you will find a shortcut. If the ancient desire is obviously superior to the world, rule the country first; If you want to govern your country, you should first get your family together; If you want to reunite with your family, you should first repair your body; If you want to cultivate yourself, you should be upright first; If you want to be correct, be sincere first; Be sincere, let him know first; Knowledge exists in things.
Translation:
The purpose of the university is to carry forward the aboveboard moral character, study and apply it to life, and make people reach the most perfect state. Only by knowing what you should achieve can you be firm; With determination, you can be calm and calm; Only when you are calm can you feel at ease; Only when you feel at ease can you think carefully; Only by thinking carefully can you gain something. Everything has roots and branches, and everything has a beginning and an end.
Knowing this truth from beginning to end is close to the law of development of things. In ancient times, if you want to carry forward the aboveboard character in the world, you must first manage your own country; To govern the country well, we must first govern the family and clan; If you want to manage your family and family well, you must first cultivate your character.
If you want to cultivate your character, you must first correct your mentality; If you want to correct your heart, you must first make your heart sincere; If you want to make your thoughts sincere, you must first get rid of bad thoughts; Know the true nature.
Source: Book of Rites University —— Post-70s schools from pre-Qin to Western Han Dynasty.
Extended data
The so-called "three cardinal guides" means to point out morality, be close to the people and stop at perfection. It is not only the program purport of "University", but also the goal of "teaching from the world" of Confucianism. The so-called "eight eyes" refers to discipline, knowledge, sincerity, integrity, self-cultivation, keeping the family in order, governing the country and leveling the world. It is not only an introductory kung fu designed to realize the "three cardinal guides", but also a life learning ladder displayed by Confucianism.
Looking at the Four Books and Five Classics, we find that all the theories of Confucianism actually develop along these three cardinal principles and eight orders. Therefore, mastering these three basic principles and eight orders is equivalent to mastering a key to open the door of Confucianism. Step by step along this learning ladder, you will walk into the room and feel the classic meaning of cowardice.
As far as the ladder itself is concerned, it actually includes two aspects: "internal repair" and "external treatment": the first four levels of "discipline, knowledge, honesty and correctness" are "internal repair"; The last three principles of "managing the family, governing the country and calming the world" are "external governance".
The middle "self-cultivation" link is the hub connecting "internal cultivation" and "external treatment", which is independent of the previous "internal cultivation" project; It is related to the next item of "external governance", that is, "doing good to the world."
References:
Baidu Encyclopedia —— The Way of University