Q0154

The Doctrine of the Mean

A verified English rendering from the curated archive.

English

Study extensively, inquire carefully, think prudently, discriminate clearly, and practice earnestly.
Thinker The Doctrine of the Mean
School Confucianism
Source Liji, Zhongyong
Theme Learning
Another quotation More from this thinker

Source context

This English passage is associated with Liji, Zhongyong, within the tradition of Confucianism. The wording below is a verified rendering prepared for careful reading rather than a claim of unique translation authority.

A short reading

Read in the register of learning, the sentence asks the reader to test an assumption rather than to collect a slogan. In The Doctrine of the Mean's wider work, similar claims are usually offered as prompts for judgment: what would have to be true for the sentence to hold, and what would follow if it did?

How to cite this quotation

APA: The Doctrine of the Mean. (n.d.). Study extensively, inquire carefully, think prudently, discriminate clearly, and practice earnestly. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0154

MLA: The Doctrine of the Mean. “Study extensively, inquire carefully, think prudently, discriminate clearly,….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0154.

Chicago: The Doctrine of the Mean. “Study extensively, inquire carefully, think prudently, discriminate clearly,….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0154.

Same thinker

More from The Doctrine of the Mean

  1. Sincerity is the Way of Heaven; making oneself sincere is the way of human beings.
  2. Before joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure are issued, that is called the Mean; when issued and all hit due measure, that is called Harmony.
  3. The noble person is cautious about what is not seen, apprehensive about what is not heard…therefore watchful when alone.
  4. What Heaven mandates is called nature; following nature is called the Way; cultivating the Way is called teaching.

All quotations by The Doctrine of the Mean

Same theme

More on learning

  1. Leisure without study is death — a tomb for a living man.
  2. The Master said: Is it not a pleasure to learn and to practice what one has learned in due time? Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unresentful when others fail to appreciate one?
  3. The Master said: When three people walk together, one of them is sure to be my teacher. I select what is good in them and follow it; what is not good, I correct in myself.
  4. Zengzi said: Each day I examine myself on three counts: In acting on behalf of others, have I been loyal? In dealings with friends, have I been trustworthy? Have I practiced what was passed on to me?
  5. The Master said: Those who know it are not equal to those who love it; those who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.

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