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The ''Doctrine of the Mean'' (), is both a doctrine of Confucianism and also the title of one of the Four Books of Confucian philosophy. The text is attributed to Zisi (also known as Kong Ji), the only grandson of Confucius. It was published as a chapter in the ''Classic of Rites''. The phrase Doctrine of the Mean (''zhōng yōng'') first occurs in Book VI, verse 29 of the ''Analects'' of Confucius: ''Analects'' never expands on what this term means, but Zisi's text, ''Doctrine of the Mean'', explores its meaning in detail, as well as how to apply it to one's life. The text was adopted into the canon of the Neo-Confucian movement, as compiled by Zhu Xi. Although Burton Watson translated ''zhōng yōng'' as ''Doctrine of the Mean'', other English-language translators have rendered it differently. James Legge called it ''Constant Mean''. Pierre Ryckmans (aka Simon Leys) ''Middle Way'', while Arthur Waley chose ''Middle Use''. Ezra Pound's attempts include ''Unswerving Pivot'', and ''Unwobbling Pivot''. Roger T. Ames and David L. Hall titled their 2001 translation ''Focusing the Familiar''. ==Interpretation== ''The Doctrine of the Mean'' is a text rich with symbolism and guidance to perfecting oneself. The mean is also described as the (pivot" = Ezra Pound ) 'unwobbling pivot' or ''zhongyong''. ''Zhong'' means bent neither one way or another, and ''yong'' represents unchanging.〔''The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot'', 1951.〕 In James Legge's translation of the text, the goal of the mean is to maintain balance and harmony from directing the mind to a state of constant equilibrium. The person who follows the mean is on a path of duty and must never leave it. A superior person is cautious, a gentle teacher and shows no contempt for his or her inferiors. S/he always does what is natural according to her or his status in the world. Even common men and women can carry the mean into their practices, as long as they do not exceed their natural order.〔(Internet Sacred Text Archive ), 2008.〕 ''The Doctrine of the Mean'' represents moderation, rectitude, objectivity, sincerity, honesty and propriety. The guiding principle is that one should never act in excess. ''The Doctrine of the Mean'' is divided into three parts: # The Axis – Confucian Metaphysics # The Process – Politics # The Perfect Word/Sincerity – Ethics (The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot, 1951). Tsze Sze's First Thesis, as stated in "The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot" (1951: pp. 99) further describes their connection: 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「doctrine of the mean」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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