儒家: 《禮記》 – 《學記》 (公元前475年 – 公元前221年)

“Record on the subject of education“ (475-221 BC) English translation by James Legge

《學記》1 :

發慮憲，求善良，足以謏聞，不足以動眾；就賢體遠，足以動眾，未足以化民。君子如欲化民成俗，其必由學乎！

When a ruler is concerned that his measures should be in accordance with law, and seeks for the (assistance of the) good and upright, this is sufficient to secure him a considerable reputation, but not to move the multitudes. When he cultivates the society of the worthy, and tries to embody the views of those who are remote (from the court), this is sufficient to move the multitudes, but not to transform the people. If he wish to transform the people and to perfect their manners and customs, must he not start from the lessons of the school?

【白话解】引發思慮，廣求善良，只能做到小有名聲，不足以感動群眾。親自就教於賢者，體念遠大的利弊，雖能夠感動群眾，仍然不足以教化人民。君子如果要教化人民，造成良好的風俗習慣，一定要從教育入手。

【原文】发虑宪，求善良，足以謏闻，不足以动众；就贤体远，足以动众，未足以化民。君子如欲化民成俗，其必由学乎！

【原文】（执政者）发布政令，征求品德善良（的人士辅佐自己），可以得到小小的声誉，不能够耸动群众的听闻；（如果他们）接近贤明之士，亲近和自己疏远的人，可以耸动群众的听闻，但不能起到教化百姓的作用。君子想要教化百姓，并形成好的风俗，就一定要重视设学施教啊！