中庸第十二章 Doctrine of the Mean Chapter Twelve

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原文：
君子之道，费而隐。
夫妇之愚，可以与知焉，及其至也，虽圣人亦有所不知焉。夫妇之不肖，可以能行焉，及其至也，虽圣人亦有所不能焉。天地之大也，人犹有所憾。故君子语大，天下莫能载焉，语小，天下莫能破焉。
诗云：“鸢飞戾天；鱼跃于渊。”言其上下察也。
君子之道，造端乎夫妇；及其至也，察乎天地。

白话文：
君子所遵循的道广大而又精微。
普通男女虽然愚昧，也可以知道君子的道；但最高境界的道，即便是圣人也有不清楚的地方。普通男女虽然不贤明，也可以实行君子的道，但最高境界的道，即便是圣人也有做不到的地方。天地如此之大，但人们仍有不满足的地方。所以，君子说到“大”，就大得连整个天下都载不下；君子说到“小”，就小得连一点儿也分不开。
《诗经》说：“鸢鸟飞向天空，鱼儿跳跃深水。”说的是君子上知天上的飞鸟，下知深渊里的鱼。
君子所遵循的道，开始于普通男女，但它的最高深境界却昭著于整个天地之间。

英文：
The Way of the Noble Person is vast yet subtle.
Even ignorant ordinary men and women can grasp its basics, but in its utmost profundity, even sages may not fully comprehend it. Even unremarkable couples can practice its simpler aspects, yet at its highest level, even sages may fail to achieve it. Though the universe is immense, humans still find imperfections. Thus, when the Noble Person speaks of the Way's grandeur, nothing in the world can contain it; when speaking of its minuteness, none can dissect it completely.
The Book of Songs says: "The hawk flies up to heaven; the fish leaps in the deep abyss." This illustrates its thorough observation of all things above and below.
The Way of the Noble Person begins with the daily lives of ordinary people, yet at its pinnacle, it pervades the universe.