第85章 君子懿德 中庸之道

It is an admirable virtue for an accomplished man to adopt the doctrine of the mean.

清能有容，仁能善断，明不伤察，直不过矫，是谓蜜饯不甜，海味不咸，才是懿德[1]。

中文注释

[1]懿德：高贵的品德，即美德。

今文解译

清廉但却有包容心，仁慈但却能明断是非，有洞察力但不咄咄逼人，性格直率但不矫情，——这些都是高贵的中庸品质，就像蜜饯虽甜但却不腻味，海鲜虽咸但却不苦涩。

EngIish TransIation

To be pure and upright in morality,and yet magnanimous in bearing;to be softhearted in handling affairs,and yet acute in decision;to be clear-sighted in observation,and yet not excessive in judgment;to be forthright in character,and yet not aggressive in action;--all these are excellent qualities that are esteemed as the doctrine of the Mean,saying that the candied fruit should not taste too sweet and seafood not too salty.