What is the meaning of "respecting morality, being broad and meticulous, being extremely clever and being moderate"

It means: to reach a broad realm while going deep into the nuances, to achieve the ultimate intelligence, and to follow the golden mean.

Source: the golden mean

Original: Therefore, a gentleman respects morality and seeks knowledge, making it broad and profound. Very clear and gentle. Review the old and learn the new, with trepidation. Not arrogant and impetuous in the former residence, but not inferior; There are state-owned roads, and their words are enough to prosper the country; There is nothing the country can do. Silence is enough.

Interpretation: Therefore, a gentleman should respect virtue, be good at asking questions, reach a broad realm and be thorough and meticulous, reach the ultimate wisdom, and follow the golden mean. Review what you have learned in the past to gain new knowledge and respect etiquette with a simple and honest attitude. In this way, you will not be proud when you are in the upper position, and you will not turn your back when you are in the lower position.

Extended data:

The Doctrine of the Mean was written by Zi Si during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. It is a monograph of Confucian moral philosophy on the realm of life accomplishment, and it is one of the ancient Confucian classics in China. Originally the thirty-first chapter of the Book of Rites, it was said that it was written by Zi Si during the Warring States Period.

The Doctrine of the Mean was compiled by Dai Sheng in the Western Han Dynasty and included in the Book of Rites. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, with the new trend of the integration of Confucianism and Taoism and the popularity of Buddhism and Taoism, some scholars linked the Confucian "golden mean" with the Taoist "inaction", which laid the foundation for "frugality", but the influence was limited. For example, in people's stories, Liu Shao promoted the "golden mean" to a very lofty virtue and listed it as the most perfect "sentiment".

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