原文:
大学之道,在明明德,在亲民,在止于至善。
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。
物有本末,事有终始,知所先后,则近道矣。
古之欲明明德于天下者,先治其国;欲治其国者,先齐其家;欲齐其家者,先修其身;欲修其身者,先正其心;欲正其心者,先诚其意;欲诚其意者,先致其知;致知在格物。
物格而后知至,知至而后意诚,意诚而后心正,心正而后身修,身修而后家齐,家齐而后国治,国治而后天下平。
自天子以至于庶人,壹是皆以修身为本。
翻译:
The Great Learning teaches that the way of the university lies in manifesting the luminous virtue, in renewing the people, and in abiding by the highest good.
To know the goal is to have determination; with determination comes calmness; with calmness comes peace of mind; with peace of mind comes careful thought; with careful thought comes attainment.
Things have their roots and branches, affairs have their beginnings and endings. Knowing what comes first and what comes last leads one close to the Way.
In ancient times those who wished to manifest the luminous virtue throughout the world would first bring order to their states; those who wished to bring order to their states would first regulate their families; those who wished to regulate their families would first cultivate their personal character; those who wished to cultivate their personal character would first set their minds right; those who wished to set their minds right would first be sincere in their thoughts; those who wished to be sincere in their thoughts would first extend their knowledge. Extending knowledge lies in investigating things.
When things are investigated, knowledge becomes complete; when knowledge is complete, thoughts become sincere; when thoughts are sincere, minds become right; when minds are right, personal character is cultivated; when personal character is cultivated, families are regulated; when families are regulated, states are brought under proper governance; when states are properly governed, there is peace throughout the world.
From the Son of Heaven down to the common people, all must regard cultivating personal character as the root.
这篇文字简洁而深刻,蕴含了儒家对个人修养和社会秩序的理想追求。从个人内心的真诚出发,逐步扩展到家庭、国家乃至整个世界的和谐统一,这种理念至今仍具有重要的现实意义。通过理解并实践这些原则,人们可以更好地实现自我完善和社会进步。