诗曰：“衣锦尚絅”，恶其文之著也。The Book of Songs says, "When wearing brocade, one still puts on an outer garment," disliking the ostentation of the pattern.
《诗经》说：“内穿锦缎，外罩麻衣。”这是为了避免锦衣花纹大显露。
故君子之道，暗然而日章；小人之道，的然而日亡。Therefore, the way of a gentleman is unobtrusive yet becomes more and more conspicuous day by day; while the way of a petty person is showy yet fades away day by day.
所以，君子的道深藏不露而日益彰明；小人的道显露无遗而日益消亡。
君子之道，淡而不厌、简而文、温而理。The way of a gentleman is plain yet never tiresome, simple yet refined, gentle yet reasonable.
君子的道，平淡而从不厌倦，简朴而内有文采，温和而有条理。
知远之近，知风之自，知微之显。可与入德矣。He knows the near from the far, the origin of the trend, and the manifest from the subtle. Thus one can enter into the realm of virtue with him.
懂得远从近开始的道理，懂得风气有源头的道理，懂得微小的事物一定会显露的道理，这样，就可以进入道德的境界了。
诗云：“潜虽伏矣，亦孔之昭。”故君子内省不疚，无恶于志。The Book of Songs says, "Though hidden and submerged, it is still very evident." Therefore, a gentleman examines himself inwardly without any sense of guilt and has no evil in his heart.
《诗经》说：“潜藏虽然很深，但依然清晰可见。”所以君子自我反省没有愧疚，没有恶念头存于心志之中。
君子之所不可及者，其唯人之所不见乎。What makes a gentleman beyond the reach of others is perhaps what others cannot see.
君子的德行之所以高于一般人，大概就是在这些不被人看见的地方吧？
诗云：“相在尔室，尚不愧于屋漏。”故君子不动而敬，不言而信。The Book of Songs says, "Even when you are in your room, you should still not feel ashamed in the presence of the spirits of the house." Therefore, a gentleman commands respect even when he is still, and is trusted even when he is silent.
《诗经》说：“看你独自在室内的时候，也能无愧于神明。”所以，君子就是在没做什么事的时候，也能表现出他的恭敬，就是在没有对人说什么的时候也是信实的。
诗曰：“奏假无言，时靡有争。”是故君子不赏而民劝，不怒而民威于鈇钺。The Book of Songs says, "When presenting offerings in silence, there is no contention at that time." Therefore, a gentleman can encourage the people without giving rewards, and the people fear him more than they fear the executioner's axe.
《诗经》说：“默默无声地祈祷，现在不再有纷争。”所以，君子不用赏赐，老百姓也会互相对勉；不用发怒，老百姓也会像看到刀斧刑具一样畏惧。
诗曰：“不显惟德，百辟其刑之。”是故君子笃恭而天下平。The Book of Songs says, "Only virtue is not ostentatious, and all the princes should follow it as an example." Therefore, a gentleman is sincere and respectful, and the world is at peace.
《诗经》说，“大大地弘扬美好德行，诸侯百官们都来效法。”所以，君子笃实恭敬就能使天下太平。
诗云：“予怀明德，不大声以色。”The Book of Songs says, "I cherish the bright virtue, not by being loud or using a stern countenance."
《诗经》说：“我怀有光明的品德，不用厉声厉色。”
子曰：“声色之于以化民，末也。”Confucius said, "Using loud voice and stern countenance to transform the people is of little significance."
孔子说：“用厉声厉色去教育老百姓，是最拙劣的行为。”
诗曰：“德輶如毛。”毛犹有伦。The Book of Songs says, "Virtue is as light as a hair." But a hair still has something to compare with.
《诗经》说：“德行轻如毫毛。”轻如毫毛还是有物可比拟。
“上天之载，无声无臭。”至矣。 "What Heaven undertakes is soundless and scentless." That is the supreme state.
“上天所承载的，既没有声音也没有气味。”这才是最高的境界啊！
