THE GREAT LEARNING
Confucius
Table of Contents
THE GREAT LEARNING................................................................................................................................1
Confucius.................................................................................................................................................1
THE GREAT LEARNING
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THE GREAT LEARNING
Confucius
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, a
calm unperturbedness 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.
The ancients who wished to illustrate illustrious virtue throughout the kingdom, first ordered well their own
states. Wishing to order well their states, they first regulated their families. Wishing to regulate their families,
they first cultivated their persons. Wishing to cultivate their persons, they first rectified their hearts. Wishing
to rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their thoughts. Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts,
they first extended to the utmost their knowledge. Such extension of knowledge lay in the investigation of
things.
Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts
were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their
persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families being
regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly go