Chapter 97: The Doctrine of the Mean

The seventh month brings the scorching heat of midsummer.

After finishing *Mencius*, Mr. Zhang began teaching the final volume of the Four Books: the *Doctrine of the Mean*.

On the podium, he spoke in a tone vastly different from when he taught *Mencius*, lecturing slowly:

"The *Doctrine of the Mean* is traditionally attributed to Zisi, the grandson of Confucius. Before the Song Dynasty, it did not exist as a standalone work but served as the thirty-first chapter of the *Book of Rites*. However, both Cheng and Zhu held this chapter in high esteem. Master Zhu, in particular, extracted it and combined it with *The Great Learning*, the *Analects*, and *Mencius* to form the 'Four Books,' requiring scholars to study this text only after mastering the first three."

"So, what is it about these mere three thousand five hundred and sixty-eight characters that makes it the crowning achievement of the Four Books?"

"It is because while works like *The Great Learning* focus on external conduct, the *Doctrine of the Mean* emphasizes the cultivation of the heart and mind and the realization of the 'Way.' It explores how to reach the supreme Confucian state of 'Centrality and Harmony' through practice. Therefore, one must use the previous three books as a foundation to understand the interpretation of the 'Way of the Mean' presented here, and subsequently integrate it into daily speech, behavior, and inner cultivation, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of dual refinement of the inner and outer self..."

In short, the abstract philosophical issues discussed in this chapter are too complex to grasp without a solid foundation, which is why it is taught last.

The arrangement proved correct; the students found this section arduous to learn. Even though they had previously listened to their mentor explain the Four Books and had memorized the *Commentary on the Four Books* until they could recite it in their sleep, they still found the metaphysical concepts and subtle arguments to be shrouded in mist.

Take the very first sentence, "What Heaven has conferred is called the Nature," which baffled even the most advanced students. Although they knew "Heaven's Mandate" related to the Heavenly Way and "Nature" referred to one's innate character, they could not grasp the connection between the two. A student asked in confusion:

"May I ask, sir, if our nature is bestowed by Heaven, why are there people who do good and those who do evil? Is Heaven partial?"

Many classmates nodded, clearly sharing the same bewilderment.

Mr. Zhang explained: "Heaven's Mandate is the 'source of the Way,' and 'Nature' is what is endowed upon all things. Human nature inherently contains the seeds of goodness; those who do evil do so because of later habits and influences. This confusion between the original state of 'Heaven-endowed Nature' and the reality of the world causes you to misunderstand the essence of 'Nature' at its root."

The students took note of the lesson diligently. However, the moment the teacher left the classroom, they looked at each other and asked:

"Did you understand that?"
"Somewhat, yet not quite."
"I understood a little..."
"Then you don't understand it at all."

Having said this, they all turned in unison toward the student sitting by the window in the last row: "Brother, could you explain it to us?"

Su Lu was speechless. "How do you know I understood?"

"Who is our brother? If even your insight falls short, we might as well go home and farm." Having spent nearly half a year together, how could his classmates not know that Su Lu’s wit and intelligence far surpassed their peers?

"Don't say that; I haven't fully grasped it either." Su Lu smiled modestly. Faced with the thirst for knowledge in his 'adopted sons'' eyes, he had no choice but to nod. "Then let us discuss it."

"Great!" With a flurry of movement, all seventeen classmates gathered around him, Lin Zhihong and Qiao Feng included.

~~

In truth, Su Lu did not find the *Doctrine of the Mean* particularly difficult. It was not that his intelligence was vastly superior, but that the dialectical thinking fostered by his modern education aligned perfectly with the core wisdom of the *Doctrine of the Mean*.

For instance, the *Doctrine of the Mean* opposes both 'excess' and 'deficiency,' emphasizing the 'timely mean'—adjusting one's conduct dynamically according to the situation. This coincides perfectly with the modern dialectical concepts of 'balance of contradictions' and 'analyzing specific problems specifically.'

Furthermore, the social environment of the future world echoed the themes of the *Doctrine of the Mean*. Frequently facing the need to balance work and life, the individual and the collective, one naturally gains an intuitive experience of the value of 'moderation,' making it easier to comprehend the significance of 'achieving centrality and harmony.'

Therefore, to Su Lu, learning the *Doctrine of the Mean* was not like trying to see flowers through a fog, as it was for his peers.

In his view, what Zisi called 'Heaven's Mandate' referred to the fundamental laws of the universe—such as flowers blooming and people dying, the cycle of spring and autumn. This is not directed by someone behind the scenes but is the natural, inherent law of operation.

Thus, 'What Heaven has conferred is called the Nature' simply means that the nature of life is derived from the endowment of natural laws.

Just as people differ in height and appearance, human nature also has distinctions of good and evil; this is the very manifestation of Heaven's impartiality.

This, however, was not entirely compatible with Mencius's 'theory of the innate goodness of human nature.' For Su Lu, this was not a problem, as he never believed that 'human nature is inherently good,' nor did he subscribe to Xunzi's 'theory of innate evil.' Instead, he favored Zisi's view of 'Nature endowed by Heaven, without inherent good or evil.'

In his view, there are naturally good people and naturally bad people, but most people are a mix of both, depending on which side they manifest at any given time.

He could hold this view himself, but he could not teach it to his classmates. They had to pass the imperial examinations and hold high the banner of the 'theory of innate goodness.' He had to find a way to reconcile Zisi’s and Mencius’s arguments for them.

After a moment of thought, Su Lu said slowly to his classmates:

"This principle can be understood through an analogy: wheat ripens in summer, and grain forms in the frost. It is not the result of human effort, but its inherent nature from birth. This is what Zisi calls 'Heaven's Mandate'—the intrinsic duty of all things in heaven and earth. It is a law of nature, not a command from a supreme ruler."

"So that’s it!" the classmates realized. "Understanding it this way makes it clear instantly."

"I thought Heaven's Mandate was a decree from a deity determining wealth and misfortune," Li Qiyu said sheepishly. "I've just gotten used to saying 'Heaven this' and 'Heaven that' every day."

"But if, as Brother Su says, grass and trees have the nature of flourishing and withering, and animals have their instincts, and humans are the same, how could Mencius have the 'theory of innate goodness'? Shouldn't human nature be both good and evil?" Qiao Feng asked, hitting the nail on the head.

"Good question," Su Lu smiled. "Because 'Nature' is not about the outward appearance of speech and conduct, but the innate seed of goodness, just as plants naturally grow toward the sun; it is inherently pure."

"Indeed," the students agreed. "Even though it is natural, plants naturally grow toward the sun, not the opposite. Just as the human heart naturally turns toward goodness..."

"Actually, there are some plants that prefer the shade," Su Lu said, jokingly patching up Master Mencius's theory. "But philosophical research concerns general laws and universality, not individual cases or exceptions. The same applies to Mencius's theory."

"What a wonderful distinction between 'general and individual,' 'universal and specific'!" Qiao Feng bowed in admiration. "Thank you, brother, for resolving my long-standing doubts. Hearing you speak is truly better than reading for ten years."

"You exaggerate, brother. I am merely extrapolating on the foundations of Master Zhu’s 'principle is one, but its manifestations are many' and Gongsun Long’s 'a white horse is not a horse,'" Su Lu laughed.

"To be able to take even a small step forward based on the sages is something we could never imagine," said Qiao Feng, who knew more than the average student and thus understood Su Lu's brilliance even better.

"Then, brother, may I ask: since the goodness of nature is universal and evil is individual, why do the sages often lament that human hearts are not what they used to be and that the world is dangerous?" Lin Zhihong asked with interest.

"Yes, yes, there are not a few bad people in this world; it cannot simply be dismissed as an exception," the other students agreed, looking at Su Lu, waiting for his explanation.

"Good question." Su Lu glanced at Lin Zhihong with a smile, thinking, 'You're trying to put me on the spot, aren't you?'

Fortunately, Su Lu was a child raised on dialectics. After a brief thought, he said:

"It is like a sturdy seedling growing in barren soil, obscured by weeds and damaged by insects—that is not the fault of the seedling. Ordinary people have the root of goodness, but later they are influenced by bad habits and circumstances. When Mencius says 'human nature is inherently good,' he means everyone has a seed of kindness in their heart; doing evil is a result of being tainted by a poor environment, not because one is born that way."

He smiled at Lin Zhihong: "When the sages lament that 'social morals are declining and hearts are not as they used to be,' they are saying that such an environment makes it impossible for people to be good."

"I have been taught," Lin Zhihong said with a deep bow. "Brother, your perspective is truly elevated, and your eloquence is unimpeded!"

"That last one isn't really a compliment," Su Lu laughed.

"It's fine, I was the one who deliberately tried to challenge you first," Lin Zhihong admitted honestly, and the two laughed heartily together.

~~

Under Su Lu's guidance, the classmates finally understood the day's lesson and thanked him profusely.

~~

The subsequent lessons followed the same pattern. The students could understand seventy or eighty percent of what the teacher said at most, and only half at least, relying entirely on Su Lu's tutoring after class to prevent them from becoming more confused the more they studied.

Fortunately, the *Doctrine of the Mean* only has 3,500 characters, so Su Lu, the free teaching assistant, would not have to serve for too long...

Mr. Zhang was initially puzzled as to why this class of students was so exceptionally bright. They could actually understand his lectures on the *Doctrine of the Mean*. He knew that there were parts he himself did not fully comprehend.

This was normal; it did not mean he was unlearned. The abstract reasoning and subtle meanings of the *Doctrine of the Mean* were not something one could fully grasp just by being familiar with Zhu Xi's commentaries or having immersed oneself in the subject for years.

It was much like the saying, "The Way that can be told is not the eternal Way."

He found it very strange. Were these students geniuses? The teacher couldn't quite explain it, yet they understood?

He soon discovered the reason: Su Lu was giving them extra lessons after class.

Watching his students surround his prized pupil, listening to him explain the content of his lectures, Mr. Zhang felt both happy and embarrassed...

~~

That day during the lunch break, it was Mr. Zhang's special tutoring time.

Su Lu entered the preparation room and saw that Mr. Zhang had prepared a chair for him.

"Sit," Mr. Zhang gestured.

"In the presence of the teacher, a student should stand and listen to instruction," Su Lu said quickly.

"If I tell you to sit, then sit. Do you expect me to stand with you?" Zhang Yandong said.

"Yes." Su Lu had to sit down, asking in confusion, "Sir, why is this?"

"I want to ask you for advice on my studies; naturally, I cannot be rude," Zhang Yandong said seriously.

"Sir, you are joking. Please, test me," Su Lu hurried to say.

"I am not joking. Among the scholars I have met, very few can explain the *Doctrine of the Mean* clearly, and those who do are merely rationalizing—they fail to convince others," Zhang Yandong shook his head. "Even the headmaster, if you asked him to explain it from beginning to end, would surely have parts he could not clarify."

"That is normal; such is the nature of subtle meanings," Su Lu nodded in understanding. "The teacher leads you to the door, but individual realization is up to the person."

"But I have asked several students, and you can explain exactly what I taught with perfect clarity," Zhang Yandong said in a low voice. "I asked them to retell what you explained; it comes neither from Zhu's commentaries nor Zheng's, nor from any work of the ancient sages. It sounds more like your own understanding."

"..." Su Lu thought to himself that it actually did come from ancient sages, just ones who hadn't been born yet. But he couldn't explain that, so he blurred the lines: "It was just a discussion among classmates; we said whatever came to mind. It’s nothing worth noting."

"That is even more frightening," Zhang Yandong said, stunned. He rose and bowed, "A good student must teach his teacher."