"Doctorine of the Mean" - читать интересную книгу автора (Confucius)

mountains like the Hwa and the Yo, without feeling their weight, and
contains the rivers and seas, without their leaking away. The mountain
now before us appears only a stone; but when contemplated in all the
vastness of its size, we see how the grass and trees are produced on
it, and birds and beasts dwell on it, and precious things which men
treasure up are found on it. The water now before us appears but a
ladleful; yet extending our view to its unfathomable depths, the
largest tortoises, iguanas, iguanodons, dragons, fishes, and
turtles, are produced in it, articles of value and sources of wealth
abound in it.
It is said in the Book of Poetry, "The ordinances of Heaven, how
profound are they and unceasing!" The meaning is, that it is thus that
Heaven is Heaven. And again, "How illustrious was it, the singleness
of the virtue of King Wan!" indicating that it was thus that King
Wan was what he was. Singleness likewise is unceasing.
How great is the path proper to the Sage!
Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and
rises up to the height of heaven.
All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules
of ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor.
It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden.
Hence it is said, "Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in
all its courses, be made a fact."
Therefore, the superior man honors his virtuous nature, and
maintains constant inquiry and study, seeking to carry it out to its
breadth and greatness, so as to omit none of the more exquisite and
minute points which it embraces, and to raise it to its greatest
height and brilliancy, so as to pursue the course of the Mean. He
cherishes his old knowledge, and is continually acquiring new. He
exerts an honest, generous earnestness, in the esteem and practice
of all propriety.
Thus, when occupying a high situation he is not proud, and in a
low situation he is not insubordinate. When the kingdom is well
governed, he is sure by his words to rise; and when it is ill
governed, he is sure by his silence to command forbearance to himself.
Is not this what we find in the Book of Poetry,-"Intelligent is he and
prudent, and so preserves his person?"
The Master said, Let a man who is ignorant be fond of using his
own judgment; let a man without rank be fond of assuming a directing
power to himself; let a man who is living in the present age go back
to the ways of antiquity;-on the persons of all who act thus
calamities will be sure to come.
To no one but the Son of Heaven does it belong to order
ceremonies, to fix the measures, and to determine the written
characters.
Now over the kingdom, carriages have all wheels, of the-same size;
all writing is with the same characters; and for conduct there are the
same rules.
One may occupy the throne, but if he have not the proper virtue,
he may not dare to make ceremonies or music. One may have the