27-1
大哉圣人之道！
How great is the path proper to the Sage!
第27章Chapter 27
27-2
洋洋乎！发育万物，峻极于天。
Like overflowing water, it sends forth and nourishes all things, and rises up to the height of heaven.
27-3
优优大哉！礼仪三百，威仪三千。
All-complete is its greatness! It embraces the three hundred rules of ceremony, and the three thousand rules of demeanor.
27-4
待其人而后行。
It waits for the proper man, and then it is trodden.
27-5
故曰苟不至德，至道不凝焉。
Hence it is said, "Only by perfect virtue can the perfect path, in all its courses, be made a fact."
27-6
故君子尊德性而道问学，致广大而侭精微，极高明而道中庸。温故而知新，敦厚以崇礼。
Therefore, the superior man honors his virtuous nature, and maintains constant inquiry and study, seeking to carry it out to its breadth and greatness, so as to omit none of the more exquisite and minute points which it embraces, and to raise it to its greatest height and brilliancy, so as to pursue the course of the Mean. He cherishes his old knowledge, and is continually acquiring new. He exerts an honest, generous earnestness, in the esteem and practice of all propriety.
27-7
是故居上不骄，为下不倍，国有道其言足以兴，国无道其默足以容。诗曰「既明且哲，以保其身」，其此之谓与！
Thus, when occupying a high situation he is not proud, and in a low situation he is not insubordinate. When the kingdom is well governed, he is sure by his words to rise; and when it is ill governed, he is sure by his silence to command forbearance to himself. Is not this what we find in the Book of Poetry,-"Intelligent is he and prudent, and so preserves his person?"