Page 246 - 《中庸》中·英对照版

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庸

virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be
made a fact.” Therefore, the superior man honors
his virtuous nature, and maintains constant inquiry
and study, seeking to carry it out to its breadth and
greatness, so as to omit none of the more exquisite
and minute points which it embraces, and to raise
it to its greatest height and brilliancy, so as to
pursue the course of the Mean. He cherishes his
old knowledge, and is continually acquiring new.
He exerts an honest, generous earnestness, in the
esteem and practice of all propriety. Thus, when
occupying a high situation, he is not proud, and in
a low situation, he is not insubordinate. When the
kingdom is well-governed, he is sure by his words
to rise; and when it is ill-governed, he is sure by his
silence to command forbearance to himself. Is not
this what we find in the Book of Poetry, — “Intelligent
is he and prudent, and so preserves his person?”

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