Confucius - The Doctrine of the Mean I

• "What Heaven has conferred is called The Nature; an accordance with this nature is called The Path of duty; the regulation of this path is called Instruction. The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path. On this account, the superior man does not wait till he sees things, to be cautious, nor till he hears things, to be apprehensive."

• "There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone."

• "Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish."

• "Perfect is the virtue which is according to the Mean! Rare have they long been among the people, who could practice it!"

• "I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not walked in—The knowing go beyond it, and the stupid do not come up to it. I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not understood—The men of talents and virtue go beyond it, and the worthless do not come up to it."

• "There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors."

• "Men all say, 'We are wise'; but being driven forward and taken in a net, a trap, or a pitfall, they know not how to escape. Men all say, 'We are wise'; but happening to choose the course of the Mean, they are not able to keep it for a round month."

• "The kingdom, its states, and its families, may be perfectly ruled; dignities and emoluments may be declined; naked weapons may be trampled under the feet; but the course of the Mean cannot be attained to."

• "To show forbearance and gentleness in teaching others; and not to revenge unreasonable conduct—this is the energy of southern regions, and the good man makes it his study. To lie under arms; and meet death without regret—this is the energy of northern regions, and the forceful make it their study. Therefore, the superior man cultivates a friendly harmony, without being weak—How firm is he in his energy! He stands erect in the middle, without inclining to either side—How firm is he in his energy! When good principles prevail in the government of his country, he does not change from what he was in retirement. How firm is he in his energy! When bad principles prevail in the country, he maintains his course to death without changing—How firm is he in his energy!"

• "The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, unregarded by the world, he feels no regret—It is only the sage who is able for this."

• "The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is secret. Common men and women, however ignorant, may intermeddle with the knowledge of it; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage does not know. Common men and women, however much below the ordinary standard of character, can carry it into practice; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage is not able to carry into practice. Great as heaven and earth are, men still find some things in them with which to be dissatisfied. Thus it is that, were the superior man to speak of his way in all its greatness, nothing in the world would be found able to embrace it, and were he to speak of it in its minuteness, nothing in the world would be found able to split it."

• "The way of the superior man may be found, in its simple elements, in the intercourse of common men and women; but in its utmost reaches, it shines brightly through Heaven and earth."