《中庸》是中国儒家经典之一，原是《礼记》第三十一篇，相传为战国时期孔伋（子思）所作。其内容肯定“中庸”是道德行为的最高标准，把“诚”看成是世界的本体，认为“至诚”则达到人生的最高境界，并提出“博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之”的学习过程和认识方法。宋代从《礼记》中抽出，与《大学》《论语》《孟子》合为“四书”。宋元以后，成为学校官定的教科书和科举考试的必读书，对中国古代教育产生了极大的影响。
中庸·三十一
唯天下至圣，为能聪明睿知，足以有临也；宽裕温柔，足以有容也；发强刚毅，足以有执也；齐庄中正，足以有敬也；文理密察，足以有别也。溥博渊泉，而时出之。溥博如天，渊泉如渊。见而民莫不敬，言而民莫不信，行而民莫不说。是以声名洋溢乎中国，施及蛮貊，舟车所至，人力所通，天之所覆，地之所载，日月所照，霜露所坠，凡有血气者，莫不尊亲，故曰配天。
XXXI
It is only the man with the most perfect divine moral nature who is able to combine in himself quickness of apprehension, intelligence, insight and understanding: qualities necessary for the exercise of command; magnanimity, generosity, benignity and gentleness: qualities necessary for the exercise of patience; originality, energy, strength of character and determination: qualities necessary for the exercise of endurance; dignity, noble seriousness, order and regularity: qualities necessary for the exercise of self respect; grace, method, delicacy and lucidity: qualities necessary for the exercise of critical judgement.
Thus all-embracing and vast is the nature of such a man. Profound it is and inexhaustible like a living spring of water, ever running out with life and vitality. All-embracing and vast, it is like Heaven. Profound and inexhaustible it is like the abyss.
As soon as such a man shall make his appearance in the world, all people will reverence him. Whatever he says, all people will believe it. Whatever he does, all people will be pleased with it. Thus his fame and name will spread and fill all the civilised world extending even to savage countries; wherever ships and carriages reach; wherever the labour and enterprise of man penetrate; wherever the heavens overshadow and the earth sustains; wherever sun and moon shine; wherever frost and dew fall: al) who have life and breath will honour and love him. Therefore we may say: “He is the equal of God.”
