五十四章
善建者不拔,善抱者不脱,子孙以祭祀不辍。
修之于身,其德乃真;
修之于家,其德乃馀;
修之于乡,其德乃长;
修之于邦,其德乃丰;
修之于天下,其德乃普。
故以身观身,以家观家,以乡观乡,以邦观邦,以天下观天下。
吾何以知天下然哉?
以此。
Who is firmly established is not easily shaken.
Who has a firm grasp does not easily let go.
From generation to generation his ancestral sacrifices
Shall be continued without fail.
Cultivated in the individual, character will become genuine;
Cultivated in the family, character will become abundant;
Cultivated in the village, character will multiply;
Cultivated in the state, character will prosper;
Cultivated in the world, character will become universal.
Therefore:
According to (the character of ) the individual,
judge the individual;
According to (the character of ) the family,
judge the family;
According to (the character of ) the village,
judge the village;
According to (the character of ) the state,
judge the state;
According to (the character of ) the world,
judge the world.
How do I know this is so?
By this.