The Way of great learning lies in expressing one's clear virtue, in renewing the people, and in abiding in perfect goodness. To understand abiding allows calmness; calmness allows tranquillity; tranquillity allows peace; peace allows contemplation; and contemplation allows attainment.
He was able to express his clear virtue.
He contemplated the clear mandates of Heaven.
He was able to express his excellence.
King Wen handsome and majestic, honest and reverent in his abidings. In the Book of Poetry there is a poem in praise of Ducke Wu of Wei that says: Observe the winding River Qi, the green bamboo so flourishing. A gentleman of elegance; carved and chiseled so he seems. Ground and polished so he seems; stately in his majesty. Solemn in his dignity, a gentleman of elegance, remembered for eternity.
《大学》的道理，在于彰明自己天赋的灵明、德性，再推己及人，使人人都能除去旧染之污而自新，而且要做到极完善的地步，并坚持不变。知道要达到至善的境界，意志才有定向；意志有了定向，才能心不妄动；心不妄动，才能所处而安；能所处而安，才能处事精详；能处事精详，然后才能达到至善的境界。
要能彰明本有的灵明德性。
要常审视天所赋予我们的德性。
彰明人生最高的德性。
文王英俊威武，为人诚实恭敬。在《诗经》中有一首歌颂卫武公的诗，诗中说:“观淇水之气，青竹之盛也。”优雅的绅士;他看起来是这样雕刻的。他看起来是那么地光洁;以他的威严庄严。庄严的尊严，优雅的绅士，被永远铭记。
A Carpenter's Skill 梓匠不能使人巧
A teacher teaches fundamentals. It's the student who has to work hard to attain a realization for himself before he can perform the task skillfully. You can hand down a teaching, but rising to a skillful level takes realization.
先生教人，只是以一种基本成法授业；求学者要自己用心，自求心悟，才能得其妙理。 因为下达可以言传，上达必由心悟。
Benevolence intimacy and care 君子之于物
In expressing his feelings, a gentleman recognizes certain levels of importance. Only by recognizing that this is in accordance with his original nature can he avoid acting falsely.
君子用情，有亲疏远近的次序。爱有差等才合乎本性真情，才能施行无伪。
Two Views 登东山而小鲁，登泰山而小天下
It's difficult to talk about shallow subjects with somone who has long been a student under a sage. In flowing, water cannot move without filling up the pits and cavities. In resolving his mind on the way, a gentleman cannot understand without accumulated learning. To arrive at any realm, there is a process to follow. To arrive at the realm of the sage, you must proceed from the very source.
很难和一个长期在圣人下学习的人谈论肤浅的话题。在流动的过程中，水不能不填满坑和洞而流动。君子立志求道，不积厚到文章外现的时候，就不会通达到圣人的境地。站在什么层次，就会得什么样的境界。要达到圣人的境界，你必须从源头逐步前进。
Rising to One's potential 虽无文王犹兴
Although it's true that heroes are created from circumstance, it's also true that heroes can create circumstances. A truly outstanding individual isn't hampered by his surroundings. He acts alone with determination and rises to his potential.
时势虽可造英雄，英雄也能造时势。一个真正的豪杰不会受到周围环境的阻碍。他独自行动，有决心，发挥自己的潜力。
Correct fate正命
Everything in life is determined by fate, and the correct thing to do is to heed this fate. To do everything possible to follow one's path before dying is one's correct fate.
人生的吉凶祸福，没有不是天命的，正确的做法是听受那正当的命运。全尽天道而后死的，是天命的正命。
We must harbor righteousness and heed fate. Someone who understands one's fate will fully employ all his talents. To heed fate means to live up to one's potential.
人要守义安命。知命者，必能尽其本分；人事合理，即符天道而得正命。