不苟

The gentleman does not value conduct merely because it is difficult, does not value doctrines merely because they are penetrating, does not value reputation merely because it endures — he values only what is fitting. Embracing a stone and throwing oneself into a river is an action difficult to perform, yet Shentu Di could do it. Still the gentleman does not esteem it, because it does not accord with ritual propriety and duty. 'Mountains and abysses are level,' 'Heaven and earth are equal,' 'Qi and Qin overlap,' 'What enters the ear exits the mouth,' 'Hooks have beards,' 'Eggs have feathers' — these are doctrines difficult to maintain, yet Hui Shi and Deng Xi could maintain them. Still the gentleman does not esteem them, because they do not accord with ritual propriety and duty. Robber Zhi was greedy and violent, yet his fame was like the sun and moon, transmitted alongside Shun and Yu without ceasing. Still the gentleman does not esteem it, because it does not accord with ritual propriety and duty. Therefore I say: the gentleman does not value conduct merely because it is difficult, doctrines merely because they are penetrating, or reputation merely because it endures — he values only what is fitting.

For nurturing the mind, nothing is better than sincerity. When sincerity is brought to its fullest, there is nothing else to attend to. Guard only benevolence and practice only duty. When the sincere mind guards benevolence, it takes visible form; when it takes form, it becomes numinous; when numinous, it can transform others. When the sincere mind practices duty, it achieves order; when ordered, it becomes clear; when clear, it can adapt to change. Transformation and adaptation arising in succession — this is called the virtue of Heaven. Heaven does not speak, yet people credit it with height. Earth does not speak, yet people credit it with depth. The four seasons do not speak, yet the people rely upon them. These have constancy because they are the utmost in sincerity. The gentleman of perfect virtue is understood without speaking, inspires closeness without acting, and commands awe without anger — this comes from following one's nature and being watchful when alone. In the Way of goodness, without sincerity there is no integrity in solitude; without integrity in solitude there is no visible form; without visible form, even if goodness arises in the mind, appears on the face, and issues from speech, the people will still not follow — and even if they follow, they will do so with doubt. Heaven and earth are vast, yet without sincerity they cannot transform the myriad things. The sage is wise, yet without sincerity he cannot transform the myriad people. Between father and son there is kinship, yet without sincerity there is estrangement. The ruler holds the position of honor, yet without sincerity he is diminished. Sincerity is what the gentleman guards, and it is the root of government.