Page:Horæ Sinicæ, Translations from the Popular Literature of the Chinese (horsinictran00morrrich, Morrison, 1812).djvu/31



The great science [Ta-hio] contains [three things]: a clear illustration of resplendent virtue; of the renovation of a people; and how to proceed to the utmost bounds of goodness.

First, know your object; afterwards determine; having determined, then be firm; be constant; consider well; and finally you will obtain it.

[All] things have an origin and a conclusion; every affair has an end and a beginning. To know that which comes first, and that which is last, approximates to reason.

The prince who, therefore, wishes that illustrious virtue may be understood under the whole heavens, must first govern well his own kingdom; he who wishes to govern well his kingdom, must first re-