“The ancients, wanting to demonstrate illustrious virtue
throughout the kingdom, first governed well their own
states. Wanting to govern well their own states, they first
regulated their families. Wanting to regulate their
families, they first cultivated their character. Wanting to
cultivate their character, they first set right their hearts.
Wanting to set right their hearts, they first sought to be
sincere in their thoughts. Wanting to be sincere in their
thoughts, they first increased their knowledge. Increase
of knowledge was found in the examination of things.
Things being examined, knowledge became complete.
Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were
sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were
then made right. Their hearts being made right, their
character was cultivated. Their character being
cultivated, their families were regulated. Their families
being regulated, their states were rightly governed. Their
states being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was
made peaceful and happy.” Confucius 500 B.C.
2500 years later and we are still too dense to get it. Only wisdom can occupy knowledge. First govern yourself, then occupy the world with peace.
On the bathing-tub of King T'ang the following words were engraved: "If you would one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day. Yea, let there
be daily renovation." ~Confucian Analects
edit on 21-11-2011 by SuperiorEd because: (no reason given)