Q0155

The Doctrine of the Mean

A verified English rendering from the curated archive.

English

Sincerity is the Way of Heaven; making oneself sincere is the way of human beings.
Thinker The Doctrine of the Mean
School Confucianism
Source Liji, Zhongyong
Theme Sincerity
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 sincerity, 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.). Sincerity is the Way of Heaven; making oneself sincere is the way of human beings. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0155

MLA: The Doctrine of the Mean. “Sincerity is the Way of Heaven; making oneself….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0155.

Chicago: The Doctrine of the Mean. “Sincerity is the Way of Heaven; making oneself….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0155.

Same thinker

More from The Doctrine of the Mean

  1. Study extensively, inquire carefully, think prudently, discriminate clearly, and practice earnestly.
  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 sincerity

  1. All things are already complete in me. There is no greater delight than to turn within and find sincerity.
  2. The noble person is cautious about what is not seen, apprehensive about what is not heard…therefore watchful when alone.
  3. Those who wish to cultivate themselves first rectify the mind; those who wish to rectify the mind first make the intention sincere.
  4. I am looking for a human being.
  5. True eloquence mocks eloquence.

Browse the sincerity theme