《中庸》英译（十四）

君子素其位而行，不愿乎其外。素富贵，行乎富贵；素贫贱，行乎贫贱；素夷狄，行乎夷狄；素患难，行乎患难：君子无入而不自得焉！

在上位不陵下，在下位不援上；正己而不求于人，则无怨。上不怨天，下不尤人。故君子居易以俟命，小人行险以徼幸。子曰：“射有似乎君子，失诸正鹄，反求诸其身。”

XIV.

The moral man conforms himself to his life circumstances; he does not desire any-thing outside of his position.

Finding himself in a position of wealth and honour, he lives as becomes one living in a position of wealth and honour. Finding himself in a position of poverty and humble circumstances, he lives as becomes one living in a position of poverty and humble circumstances. Finding himself in uncivilized countries, he lives as becomes one living in uncivilized countries. Finding himself in circumstances of danger and difficulty, he acts according to what is required of a man under such circumstances. In one word, the moral man can find himself in no situation in life in which he is not master of himself.

In a high position he does not domineer over his subordinates. In a subordinate position he does not court the favours of his superiors. He puts in order his own personal conduct and seeks nothing from others; hence he has no complaint to make. He complains not against God nor rails against men. Thus it is that the moral man lives out the even tenor of his life calmly waiting for the appointment of God, whereas the vulgar person takes to dangerous courses, expecting the uncertain chances of luck.

Confucius remarked, “In the practice of archery we have something resembling the principle in a moral man’s life. When the archer misses the centre of the target he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure within himself.”