CHINESE KNOWLEDGE,

BOOK THE FIRST.

This book, authored by Confucius and commented upon by çemçu, his second disciple, first came into the light of public view. It is, as it were, a certain door and the first threshold for beginners to the inner sanctuaries of both wisdom and virtue. Its Theme is threefold: first, the right instruction and governance of oneself; next, of others; and finally, rest and, so to speak, consistency in the highest good. Furthermore, because the Author wished this threefold doctrine to be primarily commended to Princes and Great Men, who govern the peoples and Kingdoms subject to them, it received from this the name Tá-Hiǒ, or the Great Science.

Note. The Latin version of this work is literal, and, being distinguished by its numbers, corresponds exactly to the phrase and Chinese text, as well as to the character (which shall be printed separately) and the order. In the remaining parts, however, is the explanation of the interpreters, and especially of Cham Colai and the Royal Master.

f. 1. p. 1. §. 1.

I.

The GREAT, and thus of leading men, ² method of ³ knowing ⁴ consists in ⁵ polishing, or cultivating ⁶ the rational ⁷ nature bestowed by heaven; namely, so that this, like a most clear mirror, once the stains of wicked appetites have been wiped away, may return to its original clarity. ⁸ It consists next in ⁹ renewing or repairing ¹⁰ the people, namely by one’s own example and exhortation. It consists finally in ¹² standing firm, or persevering ¹³ in the highest ¹⁴ good: by which here the Interpreters wish to be understood the highest conformity of all actions with right reason. And these are the three things to which the rest of this book are reduced.