《大學》-11 The great learning [T]

儒家: 禮記大學 (公元前475年 – 公元前221年)

“The great learning” (475-221 BC) English translation by James Legge

《大學》11 : — 有關「齊家」

所謂治國必先齊其家者,其家不可教而能教人者,無之。故君子不出家而成教於國:孝者,所以事君也;弟者,所以事長也;慈者,所以使眾也。

一家仁,一國興仁;一家讓,一國興讓;一人貪戾,一國作亂。其機如此。此謂一言僨事,一人定國。…

是故君子有諸己而後求諸人,無諸己而後非諸人。所藏乎身不恕,而能喻諸人者,未之有也。故治國在齊其家。

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. …  

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.” …

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.

【译文】之所以说治理国家必须先管理好自己的家庭和家族,是因为不能教好家人而能教好别人的人,是没有的。所以,有修养的人在家里就受到了治理国家方面的教育:对父母的孝顺可以用于侍奉君主;对兄长的恭敬可以用于侍奉官长;对子女的慈爱可以用于统治民众。…  

一家仁爱,一国也会兴起仁爱;一家礼让,一国也会兴起礼让;一人贪婪暴戾,一国就会犯上作乱。其联系就是这样紧密,这就叫做:一句话就会坏事,一个人就能安定国家。…

所以,品德高尚的,总是自己先做到,然后才要求别人做到。自己先不这样做,然后才要求别人不这样做。不采取这种推己及人的恕道而想让别人按自己的意思去做,那是不可能的。所以,要治理国家必须先管理好自己的家庭和家族。