University · Moderate

Chapter 8 Interpretation of "Sincerity" Chapter
[Original text]

The so-called sincere ① people, don’t ② deceive yourself.Such as bad smell ③, such as lust ④; this is called self-modesty ⑤.Therefore, a gentleman must be careful about his independence.

【Note】

①Sincere meaning: meaning, refers to ideas.Make your thoughts honest.Honesty is a verb.

② Wu (wù): Do not.

③Evil and foul smell: The first word evil (wù) means disgust and disgust.Stench (xiù) refers to a foul smell.

④Good sex: The previous character (hào) means liking and liking.The latter 好 (hǎo), meaning beautiful.Color refers to female sex and women.She is lustful and likes beautiful women.

⑤ Modesty: Same as "慊" (qiè), satisfied and comfortable.

【Translation】

The so-called honesty of one's mind means not to deceive oneself.He hates evil as much as he hates foul smells, and loves goodness as much as he loves beautiful women.

Only in this way can we say that our thoughts are honest and feel at ease.Therefore, a person with high moral cultivation must be cautious about being alone and keep himself in good order.

[Original text]

The villain's idle life ① is not good, and he does everything.When you see a gentleman, you are disgusted, cover up your bad qualities, and focus on your goodness.If a person sees himself, if he sees his lungs and liver, what good is it?This is called sincerity in the middle and form in the outside ③.Therefore, a gentleman must be careful about his independence.

【Note】

① living at home: living alone, alone.

② Disgusting: Disgusting (yā), hiding.Cover (yǎn): to cover together, to cover.

③结 (zhù): Mingming.Cheng: Actually.Middle: in the heart.Form: verb usage, expose, reveal.

④Careful to be alone: ​​alone, refers to being alone.Be discreet and disciplined when alone.

【Translation】

Those who have no moral cultivation can do any evil thing when they live alone.When they see those who are morally cultivated, they hide and try to cover up the bad things they have done, and try to show their virtue by pretending that they have done good things.In fact, other people's eyes are discerning. Seeing through these bad guys and bad deeds is like seeing their internal organs. So what's the benefit of this kind of practice of concealing evil and promoting good.That is to say, what kind of practical virtue a person has in his heart will inevitably show what kind of words and deeds he will have on the outside.Therefore, a person with moral cultivation must be careful when he is alone, and even when he is alone, he must make himself behave.

[Original text]

Zengzi said: "What ten eyes see, what ten hands point to, is so strict!"

Wealth the house, nourish the body with virtue ②, broaden the mind and make the body fat ③, so a gentleman must be sincere in his intentions.

【Note】

① Zeng Zi: Zeng Shen, a disciple of Confucius.Qi (qǐ): Tong "Qi", isn't it.

② Furun House, Derun Body: moisten, moisturize, extended meaning to modify and decorate.It is said that being rich can make the house gorgeous, and being moral is enough to cultivate the body and mind.

③Heart wide body fat: fat (pán), comfortable.Comfortable and comfortable.

【Translation】

Zeng Shen said: "If a person is watched by many eyes and pointed by many fingers, isn't this serious and terrible!"

Wealth can decorate a house and make it beautiful; morality can cultivate people's body and mind and make people noble.The mind is broad and cheerful, and the body is naturally comfortable and comfortable. Therefore, people with moral cultivation must keep their thoughts honest.

[Zhu Xi Tips]

The sixth chapter of the right biography explains "sincerity".

【Translation】

Zhu Xi said that the above paragraph is Chapter 6 of Chuanwen, which explains "sincerity".

(End of this chapter)