Those who are learners,
must have a beginning.
The 'little learning' finished,
they proceed to the four books.
There is the Lun Yu (discourse or Analects),
in twenty sections.
In this, the various disciples,
have recorded the wise sayings of Confucius.
The works of Mencius,
have comprised in seven section.
These explain the way and exemplifications thereof,
and expound clarity and duty towards one's neighbour.
The Chung Yung (the doctrine of the mean),
by the pen of Tzu-su;
Chung (the middle) being that which odes not lean toward any side,
Yung (the course) being that which cannot be changed.
He who wrote the 'Great Learning'
was the philosopher Tseng.
Beginning with cultivation of the individual and ordering of the family,
It goes on to government of one's own State and ordering of the family.
When the 'Classic of Filial Piety' is mastered,
and the 'Four books' are known by heart.
The next step is to the 'Six classics',
which may now be studied.
The Books of Poetry, of History and of Changes.
The 'Rites of Chou Dynasty', the book of Rites, and the 'Spring and Autum Annals'
are the six classics
which should be carefully explained and analysed.
There is the Lien Shan System,
there is the Kuei Tsang
And there is the system of Changes of the Chou Dynasty,
such are the three systems which elucidate the changes.
There are the Regulations and the Counsels,
The Instruction, The Announcements,
The Oaths, The Charges,
These are the profundities of the Book of History.
Our Duke of Chou,
drew up the Ritual of the Chou Dynasty,
in which he set forth the duties of the six classes of officials;
and thus gave a settled form to the government.
The Elder and the Younger Tai,
wrote commentaries on the Book of Rites.
They publish the holy words,
and Ceremonies and Music were set in order.
We speak of the Kuo Feng,
we speak of the Ya and the Sung.
These are the four sections of the Book of poetry,
which should be hummed over and over.
When odes ceased to be made,
the Spring and Autumn Annals were produced.
These Annals contain praise and blame,
and distinguish the good from the bad.
The three commentaries upon the above,
include that of Kung-Yang,
that of Tso
and that of Ku-Liang.
When the classics were understood,
then the writings of the various philosophers should be read.
Pick out the important points in each,
and take a note of the facts.
The five chielf philosophers,
are Haun, Yang,
Wen Chung Tzu
Lao Tzu and Chung Tzu.
When the classics and the philosophers are mastered,
the various histories should then be read,
and the genealogical connections should be examined,
so that the end of one dynasty and the beginning of the next be known.
