Chapter 39: 115 chapters, the starting point begins here

115 chapters, the starting point begins here.

The starting point begins here……

Liu Guozong

Kongzi says: 'Gentleman follows the mean, the petty person opposes the mean.'

Why does the petty person oppose the mean?

Kongzi answered: 'The petty person has no scruples.'

The petty person does whatever they want, without restraint.

Yearning for freedom, shedding shackles, flying freely like a little bird—perhaps this is human nature?

However, if people were completely like little birds, they could not be called humans; they would be birds. Therefore, it is better for people to have some norms and restraints. But Kongzi's standards for people are too high, not something ordinary people can achieve. Therefore, Kongzi also said: 'The gentleman's mean is also; the gentleman is timely in the mean.'

This is Kongzi's standard for the gentleman: speech and conduct should be reasonable and conform to norms. Following Kongzi's demand, this 'mean' is too difficult; no wonder Kongzi said: 'The world can be made equal, ranks and emoluments can be refused, but the mean is impossible.'

Kongzi said, 'The state can be governed, official positions can be resigned, even a snow‑white blade can be trampled and crossed, but achieving the mean is difficult.'

This is the starting point; the ancients had a poem in the Classic of Poetry: 'To gaze upon a thousand miles, climb one more floor.' That is, people at different levels and realms will see different scenery.

Those birds that fix their gaze on the grasses in low places will never see the boundless wind at the mountain's summit.

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