鐔津文集 4.13

4.13

The inquirer bowed twice, stepped forward, and said: "Utmost indeed are your words, sir! From now on, I know that the Mean is supreme; it is the ultimate Way of the realm. Heaven, Earth, ghosts, and spirits cannot surpass it. Without the Mean, how could we humans live? May I ask, can the Mean be learned?"

[The elder] said: "What does that mean? What cannot be learned? The Mean is not silent and useless. Therefore, reaching utmost accord, it adapts; adapting, it penetrates. Measures and regulations are that by which its adaptation is governed; learning is that by which its penetration is practiced. Adapting and according with righteousness is what makes a noble person; penetrating yet losing moral instruction is what makes a petty person. Therefore, speaking of the Mean consists precisely in learning."

"If so, then how does one learn it?"

[The elder] said: "Learn ritual propriety; learn music. When ritual propriety and music are cultivated, the Mean is attained. Ritual propriety is that by which seeing and hearing are corrected, actions and movements are corrected, speech is corrected, and desires and cravings are curbed. Music is that by which blockages and depressions are vented, and the blood and breath are harmonized. When seeing and hearing are not depraved, actions and movements are not disordered, speech is not false, desires and cravings do not arise, thoughts are calm and unburdened, and the blood and breath are peaceful and harmonious, then the Mean [is attained]. Thereafter, benevolence settles it, righteousness practices it, wisdom penetrates it, and trustworthiness preserves it; punishments and governance abide within them."

[The inquirer] said: "Among the ancients, who was able to embody the Mean? I wish to follow such a person."

[The elder] said: "Viewing it through the texts, it was Shun and Confucius; next to them were Master Yan and Zisi. King Wu and the Duke of Zhou were said to be able to practice filial piety through the Mean."

Someone said: "Were not Yao, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, and the Duke of Zhou sages? Why does [your account] not reach up to Yao, and not extend down to Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, and the Duke of Zhou?"

[The elder] said: "Confucius did not speak of them, so how would I dare to discuss them?"

[The inquirer] said: "Meng Ke studied under Zisi; was he able to embody the Mean?"

[The elder] said: "I do not know."

[The inquirer] said: "In the Tang dynasty, was Li Ao able to embody the Mean?"

[The elder] said: "Ao merely imitated the Mean; that he was able to embody it, I have not heard."

[The inquirer] said: "Are you able to embody the Mean, sir?"

[The elder] said: "Unworthy as I am, how would I dare? Rather, having once studied our own Way, and finding that the Mean is close to our Way, I have ventured to speak of it. How could I dare say I am able to embody the Mean?"

Someone said: "Although I am not clever, I beg to apply myself to these words." Bowing twice with head to the ground, he withdrew.