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Childlike perspective For little people, no blame For the noble young one, an embarrassment

A prying perspective Serves a young woman’s persistence

Observing our own lives in advances and retreats

Observing a country’s splendors Worthwhile and useful to be guest to the sovereign

Observing our own lives The noble young one does no harm

Observing others’ lives The noble young one does no harm

Persistence is promising Study the hungry mouth From the searching mouth to the feeding

Forsaking your spirit tortoise* Looking at me with hungry mouth hanging open Disappointing

Adornment satisfies The flexible comes forward and refines the firm Consequently, satisfaction Alternately, the firm rises upwards and refines the flexible Consequently, a little worthwhile to have somewhere to go (Even) heaven (has) a style Refinement (and) clarity mean stability (Such is) human culture Look to heaven’s refinements Thereby to study the seasonal changes Look to humanity’s refinements Thereby to transform (and) complete all under heaven

20.1x First six’s childlike perspective (Is) the little one’s path

20.2x (With) prying perspective, the young woman persists: But still invites condemnation

20.3x Observing our own lives (in) advances (and) retreats: Still not neglecting the path

20.4x Observing a county’s splendors: (Be) a worthy guest

20.5x Observing our own lives (Means) observing humanity

20.6x Observing others’ lives: The objective is still not objective

The great perspective lies above Acceptance and versatility Balance (and) uprightness (are) used in observing all under heaven Observing A cleansing but not a sacrifice, Being true is as good as dignified: Those below observe and so (are) transformed Observing heaven’s sacred course and the four seasons’ lack of deviation The wise ones use (these) sacred principles to establish (their) teachings And so all under heaven simply consent

The wind moves over the earth Perspective The early sovereigns, accordingly, examined the regions And comprehended their societies To establish their doctrines

Decomposing (Means) stripping away The flexible alters the firm Not worthwhile to have somewhere to go: The common people prevail Accept and stop here Look at the image The noble young one respects waning (and) waxing as surplus (and) want (And as) heaven’s behavior

27.1x Looking at me (with) hungry mouth hanging open: Truly lacking (as) a basis for respect

Hungry mouth Persistence (is) promising: Nourish uprightness (and) in due order good fortune Study the hungry mouth: Study what is the purpose in nourishment From the searching mouth (to) the feeding: Study what are the sources of nourishment Heaven (and) earth nourish the myriad beings The wise ones nourish the worthy (and) thereby reach the whole of humanity Hungry mouth’s opportune timing (is) very important here!

Reciprocity (Means) being moved The flexible (is) above while the firm (is) below The two vital forces (are) moved in resonance (And) with this support each other Stillness and enjoyment The masculine submits to the feminine And so it is that fulfillment rewards persistence (And) to court the young woman (is) promising Heaven (and) earth move each other And so the myriad beings transform (and) come to life The wise ones move the human heart And all under heaven respond with peace Comprehend this function of touch Then heaven (and) earth (and) the myriad beings Will now have natures (which) may be seen plainly

Continuity (Means) to endure The firm (is) above and the flexible (is) below Thunder (and) wind support each other Versatile and energetic The firm (and) the flexible fully correspond Continuity Continuity fulfills (and) nothing (is) wrong, Worthwhile to be persistent: Enduring (is) upon one’s own path Heaven’s (and) earth’s courses Continue, going on and (on) without end Worthwhile to have somewhere to go: At the end, in due order, there will be a beginning Sun and moon take the sky and so (are) able to continue in brilliance The four seasons evolve (and) turn And so are able to continue accomplishing The wise ones endure upon their paths And all under heaven (is) transformed (and) completed Comprehend what is meant to be continued Then heaven (and) earth (and) the myriad beings Will now have natures (which) may be seen plainly

Collectedness (Means) to congregate Acceptance behind satisfaction The firm (is) central (and) resonant Hence, congregation The sovereign approaches his temple: To convey the filial offering Rewarding to encounter a mature human being making an offering: Concentrating with integrity To offer great sacrifices (is) promising, Worthwhile to have somewhere to go: Agreeing with heaven’s higher order Study the reason to congregate Then heaven (and) earth (and) the myriad beings Will now have natures (which) may be seen plainly