What Heaven has conferred is called the Nature. An according with this nature is called the Path of duty. The regulation of this path is called Instruction. The path may not be left for an instant. If it could be left, it would not be the path.

The superior man is cautious and careful in respect to what he does not see, and apprehensive and fearful in respect to what he does not hear. There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself when he is alone.

Before the feelings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, and joy are aroused, this is called Equilibrium. When these feelings are aroused and each attains due measure and degree, this is called Harmony. Equilibrium is the great root of the world, and Harmony is the universal path.

Chung-ni said: 'The superior man embodies the course of the Mean. The mean man acts contrary to the course of the Mean. The superior man's embodying the course of the Mean is because he is a superior man, and so always maintains the Mean.'