Next to the above is he who cultivates to the utmost the shoots of goodness in him.
From those he can attain to the possession of sincerity.
This sincerity becomes apparent. From being apparent, it becomes manifest.
From being manifest, it becomes brilliant. Brilliant, it affects others.
Affecting others, they are changed by it. Changed by it, they are transformed. It is only he who is possessed of the most complete sincerity that can exist under heaven, who can transform.
-Doctrine of the Mean Chapter 23
When I was watching the movie “Yeok-rin (2014)”, I paused for a moment. Actor Jung Jae-young, who plays the role of a eunuch, recites chapter 23 of Zhong Yong (The Doctrine of the Mean). Each word had such a strong impact, they touched my heart. I guess it’s because I found it very difficult to do my best in the small things, and I thought it was even more difficult to do everything so sincerely it shines through. I thought it almost impossible to make the world change by touching the hearts of others.
Even though it’s a classic passage quoted in the film, he’s saying, ‘You have to do it!’
Rather than blaming myself for not being able to do it, I resolutely decided, ‘’I have to do that, too.’
From now on, even if it’s a very small promise, or a trivial deed, I am determined to sincerely do my best. I will grow so that the world will change.
Source: http://nothingistic.org/library/confucius/mean/mean04.html
Source: maummonthly.com
