The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean: A Teaching Translation

Abstract

Along with the Analects and Mencius, the Great Learning and Doctrine of the Mean comprise the traditional Confucian canon known as the "Four Books," which was the educational core of traditional China. These two short texts served as summary guides to Confucian self-cultivation, and were memorized by children at the first satge of education. This translation of these two short texts, with glosses and simple commentary, is intended to provide open-access online teaching materials, to be freely used or modified by individuals or by teachers employing them in a not-for-profit context.