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The Doctrine of the Mean · 32 of 34

Chapter 31

1.It is only he, possessed of all sagely qualities that can exist under heaven, who shows himself quick in apprehension, clear in discernment, of far-reaching intelligence, and all-embracing knowledge, fitted to exercise rule; magnanimous, generous, benign, and mild, fitted to exercise forbearance; impulsive, energetic, firm, and enduring, fitted to maintain a firm hold; self-adjusted, grave, never swerving from the Mean, and correct, fitted to command reverence; accomplished, distinctive, concentrative, and searching, fitted to exercise discrimination.

2.All-embracing is he and vast, deep and active as a fountain, sending forth in their due season his virtues.

3.All-embracing and vast, he is like heaven. Deep and active as a fountain, he is like the abyss. He is seen, and the people all reverence him; he speaks, and the people all believe him; he acts, and the people all are pleased with him.

4.Therefore his fame overspreads the Middle Kingdom, and extends to all barbarous tribes. Wherever ships and carriages reach; wherever the strength of man penetrates; wherever the heavens overshadow and the earth sustains; wherever the sun and moon shine; wherever frosts and dews fall:—all who have blood and breath unfeignedly honor and love him. Hence it is said,—“He is the equal of Heaven.”

Echoes elsewhere

The Ethics of Confucius · ConfucianismConfucius: "Hence it is said: 'He is the peer of Heaven!'" (Doctrine of the Mean, c. xxxi., v. 3.) This is much more explicitly set forth in this passage from the same book; also cChuang Tzu · Taoismbelongs to humanity! How grand and great is he in the unique perfection of his Heavenly (nature)! Hui-dze said to Kwang-dze, 'Can a man indeed be without desires and passions?' TheA History of the New Thought Movement · New Thoughtbecomes possible to conceive of a heaven here, and to understand that man’s highest duty is to man. And with the conception of the essential unity of humanity, man’s duty to the SeVishnu Purana · Hinduismadore him, who is the one conjoined essence and object of both meditative wisdom and active virtue; who is watchful in providing for human enjoyments; who is one with the three qua