《中庸》 The Doctrine of Mean
天命之謂性 What Heaven has conferred is called the True Nature
率性之謂道 an accordance with this True Nature is called the Tao
修道之謂教 cultivation of the Tao is called the teachings
道也者 Tao
不可須臾離也 cannot leave, even for an instant
可離 非道也 If it can leave, then it is not the Tao
是故君子 Therefore, noble persons
戒慎乎其所不睹 are cautious even when they are not seen
恐懼乎其所不聞 are vigilant even when they are not heard
莫見乎隱 莫顯乎微 Inner thoughts are shown through observable actions
故君子慎其獨也 Therefore, noble persons are conscientious even when alone
喜怒哀樂之未發 Before feelings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy arise
謂之中 this state is called the Mean
發而皆中節 When feelings have arose but stay within reasonable limits
謂之和 this state is called the Harmony
中也者 This Mean
天下之大本也 is the great root of all things in the world
和也者 This Harmony
天下之達道也 is the path to Tao for all things in the world
致中和天地位焉 When Mean and Harmony are reached, all things will be in order
萬物育焉 and all things in the world will grow and flourish
忠義濟世聖賢行誼 Loyalty and justice are the world-saving ways of the saints
皆反求自己 all saints are introspective
中庸本體 一個誠字 Sincerity is the essence of the Doctrine of Mean
道盡了真義 a complete expression of its true meaning
誠則明矣 明則誠矣 Sincerity precedes clarity, clarity precedes sincerity
不誠無物矣 Without sincerity, nothing exists
不偏不倚 無過不及 Not partial or inclined, not excessive or deficient
心不牽繫 萬民安怡 An unattached heart leads to a peaceful stability for all
孝敬父母友兄弟 Filial respect toward parents, amity toward siblings
克己復禮非朝夕 Self-discipline and propriety are not attained in a day
道德謹記先正己 Bear morality in mind, focus first on self-rectification
勿忘絜矩將心比 Do not forget empathy
繼志善述忠義表 Continue past aspirations, exemplify loyalty and justice
千古不易至誠矣 Utmost sincerity is realized by an unwavering fidelity