論述誠與明的關(guān)系。人能夠明白事理,就可以確定自己內(nèi)心所向的目標(biāo),以至去指導(dǎo)自己的行為。由于人天生性善,也可反躬自省,自己的行為是否合于心中向善的本性,即真誠。如此看來,真誠與明白事理,互為促進(jìn),相輔相成?!白哉\明”是說由真誠而明理?!白悦髡\”是說由明理而真誠。不論是出于天性或是教育的結(jié)果,一個人處世立身的原則都應(yīng)是為仁行善,自覺自愿,不為外在力量所促使,做到這樣,人就能達(dá)到至真至純,至善至美的境界。
中庸·二十一
自誠明,謂之性。自明誠,謂之教。誠則明矣;明則誠矣。
XXI
The intelligence which comes from the direct apprehension of truth is intuition. The apprehension of truth which comes from the exercise of intelligence is the result of education. Where there is truth, there is intelligence; where there is intelligence, there is truth.