三教平心論 1.12

1.12

自今觀之。儒家之教。自一身而一家。自一家而一國。自一國而放諸四海彌滿六合。可謂守約而施博矣。若夫四海六合之外。則何如哉。其說曰。東漸西被訖於四海。是極遠不過至四海訖。則止於此。而更無去處矣。是儒家之教然也。故學儒者。存心養性蹈仁履義。粹然為備道全美之士。而見諸設施措諸事業。可以致君。可以澤民。可以安國家而立社稷。可以扶世教而致太平。功成身老。名在青史。儒之極功如此而已。曾子曰。死而後已不亦遠乎。蓋至於死則極矣。

Looking at it from the present perspective, the teaching of Confucianism extends from one's own person to one's family, from one's family to the state, and from the state it expands to the four seas and fills the six directions. It can be said to hold to the essential while bestowing broadly. Yet what of that which lies beyond the four seas and the six directions? Its teachings say: “Advancing to the east and covering to the west, reaching as far as the four seas.” Thus, its utmost distance reaches no further than the conclusion of the four seas; it halts here and has nowhere else to go. Such is the teaching of Confucianism. Therefore, those who study Confucianism preserve the mind and nourish their nature, treading in benevolence and walking in righteousness, becoming pure gentlemen complete in the Way and endowed with perfection. Manifested in governance and applied to practical affairs, they can assist the sovereign, shower grace upon the people, bring peace to the state, establish the altars of soil and grain, uphold the worldly teaching, and bring about Great Peace. When their work is accomplished and their bodies grow old, their names are recorded in the green annals of history. The ultimate achievement of Confucianism is just this. Zengzi said: “Only with death does it end; is this not indeed far-reaching?” Truly, upon reaching death, it has reached its limit.