《大学》英译（四）

《诗》云：“邦畿千里，惟民所止。”《诗》云：“缗蛮黄鸟，止于丘隅。”子曰：“于止，知其所止。可以人而不如鸟乎？”《诗》云：“穆穆文王，于缉熙敬止！”为人君，止于仁；为人臣，止于敬；为人子，止于孝；为人父，止于慈；与国人交，止于信。子曰：“听讼，吾犹人也。必也使无讼乎！”无情者不得尽其辞，大畏民志。此谓知本。所谓修身在正其心者：身有所忿 ，则不得其正；有所恐惧，则不得其正；有所好乐，则不得其正；有所忧患，则不得其正。心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。此谓修身在正其心。《诗》云：“瞻彼淇澳，菉竹猗猗。有斐君子，如切如磋，如琢如磨。 瑟兮僴兮，赫兮暄兮。有斐君子，终不可喧兮！”“如切如磋”者，道学也。“如琢如磨”者，自修也。“瑟兮僴兮”者，恂栗也。“赫兮喧兮”者，威仪也。“有斐君子，终不可喧兮”者，道盛德至善，民之不能忘也。《诗》云：“于戏前王不忘！”君子贤其贤而亲其亲，小人乐其乐而利其利，此以没世不忘也。

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It is said in The Book of Songs: “The spacious capital city is where the masses dwell.” It is said in The Book of Songs: “Twittering orioles perch in hill recess.” Said Confucius: “Orioles know where to perch, are human beings not so wise as they?” It is said in The Book of Songs: “The reverential King Wen was aboveboard, he acted with caution in every endeavour of his.” As monarch, he devoted himself to humanity and justice; as minister at court, he devoted himself to respecting his sovereign; as son, he devoted himself to filial obedience; as father, he devoted himself to affection; as friend, he devoted himself to honesty and trustworthiness. It is said in The Book of Songs: “Look at the meandering Qi Shui River, there grows alongshore a dense forest of green bamboos. The well-cultivated ruler was so assiduous as if he were cutting and grinding stones, so careful as if he were chiseling and polishing jade, he was cautious and resolute, he was dignified. The well-cultivated ruler would never be forgotten by his people.” The phrase in the poem “so assiduous as if he were cutting and grinding stones” refers to the learning attitude of Duke Wu of the Wei State; the phrase “so careful as if he were chiseling and polishing jade” refers to his self-cultivation; the phrase “cautious and resolute” refers to the respect and alertness he had in his heart; the word “dignified” refers to his bearing; and the sentence “The well-cultivated ruler would never be forgotten by his people” means that his high morality attained perfection and made the people remember him for ever. It is said in The Book of Songs: “Ah, great rulers of the past are unforgettable.” Their virtuous ministers and beloved relatives were respected and loved by monarchs of later ages; their bounties benefited people of later ages. Therefore, these great rulers would never be forgotten.