Theos-Talk Archives (May 2011 Message tt00068)

  Dear friends,

"The ancients, who wished to illustrate illustrious virtue throughout
the kingdom, first ordered well their own States. Wishing to order well
their States, they first regulated their families. Wishing to regulate
their families, they first cultivated their persons. Wishing to
cultivate their persons, they first rectified their hearts. Wishing to
rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their thoughts.
Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts, they first extended to the
utmost their knowledge. Such extension of knowledge lay in the
investigation of things.

Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge
being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being
sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified,
their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, their
families were regulated. Their families being regulated, their States
were rightly governed. Their States being rightly governed, the whole
kingdom was made tranquil and happy. [1]

Best regards, Magda

*****

[1] "The Great Learning" by James Legge



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