Do not impose on others what you would not accept yourself. Zhongyong - If you do not wish for others to impose something on you, do not impose it on others.
Love of learning approaches wisdom; diligent action approaches benevolence; knowing shame approaches courage. Zhongyong - Loving to learn is close to wisdom; striving to do good is close to benevolence; knowing shame is close to courage.
Preparation determines success; lack of preparation leads to failure. Zhongyong - In all matters, if you are prepared, you succeed; if you are not prepared, you fail.
Study widely, inquire thoroughly, think carefully, distinguish clearly, and practice diligently. Zhongyong - Study broadly, inquire exhaustively, think prudently, discriminate clearly, and execute faithfully.
The Way of Heaven and Earth can be summarized in a single phrase: its nature is unified and constant, yet its creation of things is unfathomable. The Way of Heaven and Earth is broad, deep, high, bright, distant, and long-lasting. Zhongyong - The principle of Heaven and Earth can be summarized in one sentence: its substance is sincere and unchanging, and its generation of all things is immeasurable. The principles of Heaven and Earth are: broadness, depth, height, clarity, distance, and longevity.
The Way of the Noble Man appears obscure but becomes increasingly manifest day by day; the Way of the Petty Man appears brilliant but fades away day by day. The Way of the Noble Man is simple yet not boring, concise yet elegant, gentle yet orderly. It understands that the far begins with the near, that influence comes from oneself, and that the subtle gradually becomes apparent. Thus, one enters the realm of virtue. Zhongyong - The way of the noble person is outwardly dull but its virtues become increasingly prominent. The way of the petty person is outwardly colorful but gradually disappears. The way of the noble person is also: simple without being dull, plain with elegance, gentle and orderly, knowing that the distant starts from the near, that influencing others starts from oneself, and that subtle things gradually reveal themselves. In this way, one enters the virtues of the sages.
