《中庸》是中國(guó)儒家經(jīng)典之一,原是《禮記》第三十一篇,相傳為戰(zhàn)國(guó)時(shí)期孔伋(子思)所作。其內(nèi)容肯定“中庸”是道德行為的最高標(biāo)準(zhǔn),把“誠(chéng)”看成是世界的本體,認(rèn)為“至誠(chéng)”則達(dá)到人生的最高境界,并提出“博學(xué)之,審問之,慎思之,明辨之,篤行之”的學(xué)習(xí)過(guò)程和認(rèn)識(shí)方法。宋代從《禮記》中抽出,與《大學(xué)》《論語(yǔ)》《孟子》合為“四書”。宋元以后,成為學(xué)校官定的教科書和科舉考試的必讀書,對(duì)中國(guó)古代教育產(chǎn)生了極大的影響。
中庸·三十二
唯天下至圣,為能聰明睿知,足以有臨也;寬裕溫柔,足以有容也;發(fā)強(qiáng)剛毅,足以有執(zhí)也;齊莊中正,足以有敬也;文理密察,足以有別也。溥博淵泉,而時(shí)出之。溥博如天,淵泉如淵。見而民莫不敬,言而民莫不信,行而民莫不說(shuō)。是以聲名洋溢乎中國(guó),施及蠻貊,舟車所至,人力所通,天之所覆,地之所載,日月所照,霜露所墜,凡有血?dú)庹?,莫不尊親,故曰配天。
XXXII
It is only he in this world who is possessed of absolute truth that can order and adjust the great relations of human society, fix the fundamental principles of morality, and understand the laws of creation of the Universe.
Now where does such a man derive his power and knowledge except from himself? How all-absorbing his humanity! How unfathomable the depth of his mind! How infinitely grand and vast his divine nature! Who can understand such a nature except he who is gifted with the most perfect intelligence and endowed with the highest divine qualities of nature and mind?