Thinker

The Doctrine of the Mean quotes

5 passages in English · Dating varies by source tradition · Confucianism.

Overview

The Doctrine of the Mean is represented in Philosophy Blind Box through curated English quotations. In some cases the name denotes a historical thinker; in others it denotes a scripture, school text, or traditional attribution. School label in this archive: Confucianism.

Main ideas

Recurring concerns in this selection include Learning, Inquiry, Practice, Sincerity, God. Read each passage with its source note, then follow theme links to see how related thinkers frame the same questions.

Major works

  • Attributed sources listed on quotation pages

Legacy

Readers use The Doctrine of the Mean as an entry point into Confucianism and into cross-cultural comparison within this archive.

Themes in this archive

Learning (1) · Sincerity (1) · Order (1) · Philosophy (1) · Nature (1)

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