Chapter 4 — The Doctrine of the Mean

4-1

子zǐ曰yuē：「道dào之zhī不bù行xíng也yě，我wǒ知zhī之zhī矣yǐ，知zhī者zhě过guò之zhī，愚yú者zhě不bù及jí也yě；道dào之zhī不bù明míng也yě，我wǒ知zhī之zhī矣yǐ，贤xián者zhě过guò之zhī，不bú肖xiào者zhě不bù及jí也yě。

The Master said, "I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not walked in: The knowing go beyond it, and the stupid do not come up to it. I know how it is that the path of the Mean is not understood: The men of talents and virtue go beyond it, and the worthless do not come up to it.

Legge · 1885 · public domain

4-2

人rén莫mò不bù饮yǐn食shí也yě，鲜xiān能néng知zhī味wèi也yě。」

There is no body but eats and drinks. But they are few who can distinguish flavors."

Legge · 1885 · public domain

第dì4章zhāngChapter 4