《大學》-3 The great learning [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》3 : — 有關誠意」

所謂誠其意者,毋自欺也,如惡惡臭,如好好色,此之謂自謙,故君子必慎其獨也!小人閑居為不善,無所不至,見君子而後厭然,掩其不善,而著其善。人之視己,如見其肺肝然,則何益矣!此謂誠於中,形於外,故君子必慎其獨也。曾子曰:「十目所視,十手所指,其嚴乎!」富潤屋,德潤身,心廣體胖,故君子必誠其意。

What is meant by “making the thoughts sincere” is the allowing no self-deception, as when we hate a bad smell, and as when we love what is beautiful. This is called self-enjoyment. Therefore, the superior man must be watchful over himself when he is alone. There is no evil to which the mean man, dwelling retired, will not proceed, but when he sees a superior man, he instantly tries to disguise himself, concealing his evil, and displaying what is good. The other beholds him, as if he saw his heart and reins;-of what use is his disguise? This is an instance of the saying -” What truly is within will be manifested without.” Therefore, the superior man must be watchful over himself when he is alone. The disciple Zeng said, “What ten eyes behold, what ten hands point to, is to be regarded with reverence!” Riches adorn a house, and virtue adorns the person. The mind is expanded, and the body is at ease. Therefore, the superior man must make his thoughts sincere.

【译文】使意念真诚的意思是说,不要自己欺骗自己。要像厌恶腐臭的气味一样,要像喜爱美丽的女人一样,一切都发自内心。所以,品德高尚的人哪怕是在一个人独处的时候,也一定要谨慎。 品德低下的人在私下里无恶不作,一见到品德高尚的人便躲躲闪闪,掩盖自己所做的坏事而自吹自擂。殊不知,别人看你自己,就像能看见你的心肺肝脏一样清楚,掩盖有什么用呢?这就叫做内心的真实一定会表现到外表上来。所以,品德高尚的人哪怕是在一个人独处的时候,也一定要谨慎。 曾子说:“十只眼睛看着,十只手指着,这难道不令人畏惧吗?!” 财富可以装饰房屋,品德却可以修养身心,使心胸宽广而身体舒泰安康。所以,品德高尚的人一定要使自己的意念真诚。

【原文】谓「诚其意」者,毋自欺也。

【白话解】经文所谓:「诚其意」,是说不要欺骗自己。 ※(不被人欺是聪明,不欺人是存心忠厚,不自欺诚实地面对自己,才是大丈夫。)

【原文】诚于中,形于外。故君子必慎其独。

【白话解】一个人内心真诚,一定会表现在外。所以君子在一个人独处时,一定更为小心谨慎,不敢随便。 ※(所谓天知、地知、你知、我知。)

【原文】曾子曰:「十目所视,十手所指,其严乎!」

【白话解】曾子说:「一个人独处时,就像有十双眼睛在注视着你,十双手在指着你,这是多么严峻可畏啊!」 ※ 君子不欺暗室。

【原文】润屋,德润身,心广体胖。

【白话解】有钱人,总是会用财富来装饰他的屋子,有德行的人,则是用道德来充实自身,因为内心宽大平和,自然身体舒泰了。