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The Great Learning: The way of the Great Learning lies in bringing forth one’s innate virtue, in serving the people, and in striving for supreme goodness. Only by knowing when to stop can one achieve stability; only with stability can one find peace; only with peace can one feel at ease; only when at ease can one think clearly; and only through careful consideration can one achieve success. Everything has its roots and branches; all matters have their beginnings and ends. Knowing what to do first and what to do later brings one closer to the right path. Those in ancient times who wished to manifest their noble virtues throughout the world first governed their own country. Those who wish to govern their country must first bring order to their own families; those who wish to bring order to their families must first cultivate themselves. Those who wish to cultivate themselves must first rectify their hearts. To rectify one’s heart, one must first sincere one’s intentions. To be sincere in one’s intentions, one must first acquire knowledge. To gain knowledge lies in examining things. Only by understanding things can one attain true knowledge; only with true knowledge can one have sincere intentions; only with sincere intentions can one have a pure heart; only with a pure heart can one cultivate oneself; only by cultivating oneself can one bring order to one’s family; only with a well-ordered family can a country be governed properly; and only when a country is well-governed can the world enjoy peace. From the emperor down to the common people, everyone takes self-cultivation as the foundation. Is it not the case that the root is in chaos while the outcome is not orderly? It has never happened that what it values is deemed insignificant, while what it devalues is considered important!