《大學》-1 The great learning [L][THK][K&W]

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》1 : — 有關明德至善

大學之,在明明德,在親民,在止於至善而后有定,而后能靜,而后能安,而后能慮,而后能物有本末,事有終始,知所先後,則近矣。

What the Great Learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence. The point where to rest being known, the object of pursuit is then determined; and, that being determined, an unperturbed calmness may be attained to. To that calmness there will succeed a tranquil repose. In that repose there may be careful deliberation, and that deliberation will be followed by the attainment of the desired end. Things have their root and their branches. Affairs have their end and their beginning. To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught in the Great Learning.

【译文】大学的宗旨在于弘扬光明正大的品德,在于使人弃旧图新,在于使人达到最完善的境界。知道应达到的境界才能够志向坚定;志向坚定才能够镇静不躁;镇静不躁才能够心安理得;心安理得才能够思虑周祥;思虑周祥才能够有所收获。每样东西都有根本有枝未,每件事情都有开始有终结。明白了这本末始终的道理,就接近事物发展的规律了。

【原文】大学之道在明明德,在亲民,在止于至善。

【白话解】大学的道理,在于彰显人人本有,自身所具的光明德性(明明德),再推己及人,使人人都能去除污染而自新(亲民,新民也),而且精益求精,做到最完善的地步并且保持不变。

【原文】知止而后有定,定而后能静,静而后能安,安而后能虑,虑而后能得。

【白话解】能够知其所止,止于至善,然后意志才有定力;意志有了定力,然后心才能静下来,不会妄动;能做到心不妄动,然后才能安于处境随遇而安;能够随遇而安,然后才能处事精当思虑周详;能够思虑周详,才能得到至善的境界。

【原文】物有本末,事有终始,知所先后,则近道矣。

【白话解】天地万物皆有本有末,凡事都有开始和终了,能够明白本末、终始的先后次序,就能接近大学所讲的修己治人的道理了。