Chapter 9 Chapter 4 Reply to Ouyang Chongyi——Everything is in my heart

Ouyang Chongyi is Ouyang De (1496-1554), Chongyi is his character, his nickname is Nanye, a native of Taihe, Jiangxi, and an official to the Minister of Rites.Ouyang De is a man who dares to "speak the truth", does not avoid the powerful, and is not afraid of danger.He obeyed Wang Shouren's theory of "reaching conscience", and reinterpreted the meaning of "learning from things to knowing" in "University".Ouyang De is one of the main representatives of Jiang You Wang Xuezheng Zhuan, with great influence.He contributed a lot to the invention of the doctrine of masters and the theory of guarding masters, especially the elucidation of the meaning of "investigating things and extending knowledge", which played a great role in saving the abuse of the "returning to silence" school in the Wangmen.Author of "Ouyang Nanye Collection".

Chongyi wrote a letter: "The teacher said: 'The good knowledge of virtue is not due to hearing and seeing. If you say that you have heard a lot and choose the good ones and follow them, and you have seen a lot and know them, then you are only seeking the end of your knowledge, and it has just fallen away. In the second meaning.' Although conscience does not come from seeing and hearing, the knowledge of scholars does not come from seeing and hearing. It is not true to be stagnant in seeing and hearing, but seeing and hearing is also used by conscience. Today's "falls in the second meaning", I am afraid that for scholars who only use knowledge and knowledge as their own, if they seek knowledge and knowledge for their own conscience, it seems that knowledge and action can be united. How about it?"

Conscience does not come from seeing and hearing, and seeing and hearing is not the use of conscience, so conscience is not stagnant in seeing and hearing, nor is it separated from seeing and hearing.Confucius said: "Do I have knowledge? I don't know." Apart from conscience, there is no knowledge.Therefore, "to the conscience" is the big brain of learning, and the first meaning taught by the sages.Today, it is said that the end of seeking knowledge and hearing is to lose one's mind, which falls into the second meaning.Among comrades in recent times, Gai Jimo did not know that there is a saying of "reaching conscience", but those who have a lot of kung fu do not know what to do, and it is precisely this question that is missing.

Most of the knowledge work, as long as the mind is right.If one thinks that one's mind is dedicated to "promoting conscience", then anyone who has learned more and seen more is the merit of "promoting conscience".In the daily life, there are a lot of things to see, hear and socialize, but it is not the popularization of conscience.Apart from seeing, hearing and socializing, there is no conscience to be imparted, so it is just one thing.If one seeks to see and hear one's confidant every day, there will inevitably be a discrepancy between language and meaning.Although this is slightly different from those who only seek the end of knowledge and knowledge, it is the purpose of not getting the essence, and it is just one. "Learn a lot, choose the good ones and follow them, see a lot and know them." Both "choice" and "knowledge" are mentioned, and his conscience may not be out of it.But its intention is to choose knowledge only on the basis of hearing and seeing, and you have lost your mind.Chongyi has already understood these words, and today's question is just to invent this theory, which is very beneficial to comrades, but if the meaning is not clear, it will be a thousand miles away, and it cannot be ignored.

Ouyang Chongyi wrote in a letter: "Mr. said: 'A person's virtue and conscience do not rely on what he has learned. If he says he has learned a lot and chooses the good to follow, he will naturally have cognition after seeing more. Obviously this is only seeking in the details of what he has seen and heard. It has become a secondary issue.’ Personally, I think that although conscience is not acquired because of knowledge, the knowledge of scholars is also produced from knowledge. Of course it is wrong to hesitate, but knowledge is also the concrete practice of conscience. Now Mr. 'Falling into the second meaning' is probably aimed at those who specialize in knowledge as knowledge, if you seek knowledge in order to achieve conscience, it seems to be the unity of knowledge and action. I think so, what do you think, sir?"

Conscience does not come from knowledge, but knowledge is the exercise of conscience.So conscience cannot come from hesitation in seeing and hearing, but it cannot be separated from seeing and hearing.Confucius said: "Do I have knowledge? No." Apart from liangzhi, there is no other knowledge.Therefore, reaching conscience is the key point of learning and the first doctrine of sages educating people.Now if we talk about specifically looking for the minutiae of what we have learned, we will lose our mastery and put our conscience on the back burner.Recently, comrades have already known the theory of reaching conscience, but there are still many ambiguities in everyone's hard work, and it is precisely because of your question.

Generally speaking, the key to learning is to grasp the master. If it is clarified that the master is "reaching the conscience", then everything you know and hear is also the effort of "reaching the conscience".All the daily trifles and entertainment, although there are many clues, are all the use of conscience; without entertainment, there will be no conscience.Therefore, knowledge and conscience are both the same thing.If it is said that the conscience should be obtained from knowledge, then it is inevitable that conscience, knowledge and knowledge will be regarded as two different things in the discourse.Although this is slightly different from people who only seek conscience in the details of what they have seen and heard, it is the same in terms of not understanding the purpose of "Jingyi".As for "learn a lot and choose what is good and follow it, see a lot and know it", since "choice" is mentioned and "knowledge" is mentioned, it can be seen that conscience has already played a role in the middle, but its intention is to focus on many things. If you hear more and see more and choose to know, you will lose the master.Chongyi, you have a very clear understanding of these issues. Today's question is just to clarify the theory of conscience, which will be of great benefit to students.It's just that the semantic expression is not very thorough, and there will be situations where there is a slight difference, so we have to pay attention to it carefully.

Wang Yangming believes that conscience, as a transcendental moral consciousness, does not depend on acquired knowledge, it is born with; experience and cognition activities are all manifestations of the function of conscience, and conscience is the master of all kinds of experience and cognition activities.Here, Yangming first distinguishes conscience from knowledge of knowledge, but then unifies the two, saying that attaining conscience and seeking knowledge are not two different tasks, and it is difficult to separate them in actual moral practice.This is the reason why Yangming, on the one hand, opposes "choosing knowledge solely on the basis of knowledge and knowledge";

The book said: "The teacher said: '"The Series" talks about what to think and what to worry about. It means that what you think and worry about is just the law of heaven, and there is no other thought or worry. It does not mean that there is no thought and no worry. What is there to think about? Scholars work hard, although they think a lot, they just want to restore their own body, not to arrange and think out of selfishness. If they arrange their thinking, they are selfish and using their wisdom. If you stay empty and silent, you will arrange to think. De Xinren was at the age of one, suffering from the first disease, and then the next disease. But thinking is also the use of conscience, and how is it different from those who arrange selfishly? Fear of being a thief. , bewildered but not knowing.”

"Thinking is wisdom, and wisdom is holy."Sinking into space and keeping quiet, and arranging to think, is just selfish use of wisdom, which is the same as loss of conscience.Conscience is the clear and spiritual awareness of heavenly principles, so conscience is heavenly principles.Thinking is the function of conscience.If it is the thinking of the conscience, then the thinking is not the law of nature.The thought of using conscience is naturally clear and simple, and conscience can know it by itself.If it is the thought of self-willed arrangement, it will be troublesome and troublesome, and the conscience will also be distinguished.Gai Si is right and wrong, and there is no one who does not know his conscience.Therefore, recognizing a thief as a son is just the ear of the ignorance of knowledge, and the ignorance of conscience.

You said in your letter: "Mr. said: "What to think and what to worry about in Confucius' Notes in "Book of Changes: Xici 2" means that what you think and think about is only the law of heaven, and there is no other thinking. It does not mean that there is no thought or no The body of the mind is the principle of heaven, so what is there to think about? Scholars work hard, although they think a lot, but the purpose is only to restore the body of the heart, not to arrange it out of selfishness or to think out the law of heaven. If you deliberately arrange Thinking is selfish use of wisdom.' Most of the ills of scholars are either to stay silent, or to speculate and deliberately arrange thinking. I made the former mistake from Xinji to Renwu years, and recently committed the latter mistake. But thinking is also a matter of conscience. What is the difference between it and selfish speculation and deliberate arrangement? I am afraid that I have adopted a thief as my son, and I am still confused and do not know it!" "Thinking is wisdom, and wisdom is holy."Keeping silence and arranging thoughts are both selfish desires and wisdom, which is also a loss of conscience.Conscience is the place where the natural law is clear and spiritual, so conscience is the natural law, and thinking is the use of conscience.If it is the thinking of the use of conscience, then what is thought is the law of heaven.When the conscience develops the thinking of using it, it is naturally clear and simple, and the conscience can naturally understand it.If it is the thought of self-willed arrangement, there will naturally be thousands of thoughts and confusion, but the conscience can also distinguish naturally.Everyone who thinks about right and wrong is right and wrong, and everyone knows what is right and wrong.The reason why there is a situation of admitting a thief as a son is precisely because the academics of extension of knowledge have not fully understood, and they do not know that they should experience cognition on the basis of conscience. The "thinking" that Wang Yangming refers to here is not a rational thinking activity, but "recognition from the conscience", from "doing good and eliminating evil" to wipe away the body of one's own clear spiritual awareness.At the same time, in his view, the standard for judging right and wrong is the self-evidentness of "conscience" and the spontaneity of "natural law".That is to say, what conforms to the moral law is "true" and "righteousness", while what violates the moral law is "wrong" and "evil". The book also said: "The teacher said: 'It's just one thing to study for a lifetime, no matter whether you have something to do or not, it's just this one thing. If you say that you can't do things, you have to train them, but they are divided into two things.' Stealing consciousness and energy Those who are weak and not enough to end the matter have a good conscience. It is better to let things go, and to rest and recuperate, so as to achieve knowledge. How can there be two things? If something happens, something cannot be tolerated. Although the energy is weak, a little encouragement can support it, then It’s okay to be handsome if you hold on to your ambition. However, words and actions will eventually lose strength, and you will be exhausted after you finish your work. It’s almost violent? Conscience is not ignorant of the priorities, but it may be forced by the situation. Energy? Or trapped in energy, can you take care of the situation? How about it?" The meaning of "it's better not to be troubled, but to be cultivated", and it is not unhelpful to say this with beginners.But after doing two things, there will be pain.Mencius said that "something must happen", so the study of a gentleman is just a matter of "collecting righteousness" throughout his life.Righteousness means appropriateness, and knowing what is appropriate means righteousness.If it can lead to conscience, then the heart will find it suitable, so "Ji Yi" is only for conscience.A gentleman's entertainment is ever-changing, when he acts, he acts, when he stops, he stops, when he lives, he lives, when he dies, he dies, and mediation is nothing more than to appeal to his conscience and seek self-destruction.Therefore, "a gentleman acts according to his position" and "cannot think of his position".Anyone who seeks what is beyond his power, and whoever strengthens his knowledge beyond what is impossible, will not be able to achieve conscience.And anyone who "works his muscles and bones, starves his body and skin, empties his body, disturbs his actions, stirs his heart and patience, so as to improve what he can't do" is all because of his conscience.If it is said that "it is better not to do something than to cultivate it", it is also the mind of utilitarianism first, cares about success or failure, and chooses between love and hate. If there is a meaning of what is inside and not outside, it means "using wisdom selfishly", that is, "outside righteousness", and there is a disease of "not to be taken from the heart, not to ask for the spirit", and it is not the result of seeking self-defeating from the conscience. As the saying goes, "Encourage and support, but you will be exhausted after you finish your work."It also says that "forced by the situation and trapped in energy", both of them are doing two things, so there is this.All the merits of learning, one is sincere, and the other is false.All of these are the intention of reaching conscience, because of sincerity and sincerity. "University" said, "Those who are sincere are like bad smells, like lust, which is called self-inflicted." Have you ever seen bad smells, like lust, and you need to encourage supporters?Have you ever seen that you are exhausted after all the work?Have you ever been forced by the situation and trapped in energy?From this we can know the origin of his illness. You also said in your letter: "Mr. said: 'It's just one thing to study for a lifetime. Whether you have something to do or not, you just need to do this thing well. If you would rather not do things than cultivate your conscience, that is Divide conscience and learning into two things. Personally, I think that when you feel weak and can’t finish things, it’s conscience. Rather than doing things, but also to cultivate your heart, it’s conscience. How come it’s two What about things? If something happens, you have to deal with it. Even if you are exhausted, you can persevere if you cheer up. From this we can see that the will is still in charge of the strength. However, the words and actions at this time are exhausted after all, and the thing is done. If you are extremely exhausted, isn’t this almost equivalent to abusing your strength? Of course, your conscience will understand the priorities here, but sometimes due to the urgent situation, how can you take your energy into consideration? Sometimes you are exhausted, how can you take the situation into consideration? What should I do?" My original intention when I said "It's better not to have trouble, but to cultivate" was aimed at beginners, and it can't be said that it is not good for them.However, if we separate doing things and preserving our nature into two things, there is a problem.Mencius said that "something must happen", which means that the study of a gentleman is the matter of "collecting righteousness" throughout his life.Righteousness is righteousness, and righteousness is righteousness when the heart is right.If it can lead to the conscience, then the heart can feel suitable, so "collecting righteousness" is to reach the conscience.A gentleman treats people and deals with all kinds of things. He does what he should do, stops what he should stop, lives when he is born, and dies when he is dead.Therefore, "a gentleman acts according to his position" and "cannot think of his position".Pursuing what is beyond one's ability, and forcing oneself to do what one's intellect can't accomplish, is not an extension of one's conscience.And anyone who "works his muscles and bones, starves his body and skin, empties his body, disturbs his actions, tempts his heart and patience so as to improve what he cannot" is all for the sake of conscience.If you say "I would rather not do things than keep my nature", it is also because I have a utilitarian mind first, care about success or failure, and then make a choice between love and hate. Innate nature has become another thing. This is the mentality of valuing the original heart and ignoring doing things. It is the use of talents for selfish desires, and the righteousness is regarded as external things. The malady of "seeking for qi" is no longer the skill of seeking peace of mind and sincerity. What you said about "encouragement and support, exhaustion after finishing the work" and "forced by the situation, exhaustion" are both treating things and preserving nature as two things, so there is such a result.When it comes to learning, one is sincere, and one is hypocritical.This is all because the heart of conscience still lacks sincerity and definiteness. It is said in "University": "Those who are sincere are like bad smells, like lust, and this is called self-indulgence." Who has ever seen someone who hates stench, likes beauty, and needs to be encouraged?Has anyone ever seen the exhaustion after doing these things?Has anyone ever seen someone who was forced by the situation and did not have the energy to avoid it?From this we can see where the root of the disease comes from. Wang Yangming believes that as a knowledgeable and educated scholar, he should take appropriate actions in his position and not think beyond his own position when thinking about problems.Generally, seeking what is beyond one's ability is not reaching one's conscience. There is another book in the book: "There are many deceptions in human emotions. If you don't doubt it, you are often deceived. If you feel it, you will fall into the conjecture. If you are rebellious and deceitful, you are cheating; if you don't believe it, you don't believe it; if you deceive others, you will be deceived." It’s not enlightenment. Not rebellious or imaginary, but always aware first, is it only good conscience? However, there are many people who go back and forth and cheat in the slightest.” "Don't be rebellious or hypocritical, but be aware first." This Confucius fell into deceit and unbelief because people at that time focused on rebelling against deceit, hypocrisy and disbelief.There are also those who are neither rebellious nor presumptuous, but they do not know the merit of developing conscience, and they are often deceived by others, so there is a saying.It is not to teach people to be intentional, but to be predisposed to perceive people's deceit and unbelief.Therefore, to be intentional is to be suspicious of those who are in danger in later generations; and just thinking about it is no longer the same as entering the way of Yao and Shun.Those who are not rebellious or presumptuous but are deceived by others are still good.But it is not as good as being able to arouse their conscience, and those with natural foresight are especially good ears.Chongyi said that "the only conscience is clear and clear", Gai has already got his purpose.However, it is also within the reach of Yingwu, and I am afraid it is not practical. Because conscience is in the human heart, it has been through the ages and is the same as the universe. "Know without thinking", "Know danger by constant ease", "Ability without learning", "Know resistance by constant simplicity". "Heaven does not violate nature. Heaven does not violate, but what about people? What about ghosts and gods?" The husband said that those who betray themselves and deceive themselves are not against people, but they may not be without self-deception.Although not presumptuous, but may not be self-confident.Yes, or often have the heart of foresight, but not often consciously.Always have the heart of seeking foresight, that is, it has flowed into conceit and is enough to blind one's conscience.The reason why this betrayal and fraud is inevitable. A gentleman learns to think of himself, and it is not the case that others deceive himself, and he never deceives his conscience.It's not that people don't believe in themselves, but they are always confident in their conscience;That's why if you don't deceive, your conscience will have nothing false and be sincere, and sincerity will be clear; if you are confident, your conscience will be clear without confusion, "clearness will be sincere."Brightness and sincerity live together, so conscience is always aware and always illuminated.Always feel and always shine, it is like hanging a bright mirror, and those who come from things cannot escape their beauty and embarrassment.who?If you are honest without being deceitful, you will have no room for deceit, and you will be aware of it if you are deceitful;It is said that "it is easy to know the danger, and simple to know the obstacle", and Zisi's so-called "sincerity is like a god, you can know it in advance".However, Zisi said that he is "like a god" and that he can "know beforehand".As far as sincerity is concerned, the wonderful function of sincerity is called "God", needless to say "like a god", and sincerity means "ignorant but omniscient", needless to say "know beforehand". You also said in your letter: "Human feelings are full of tricks. If you don't trust people, you will often be deceived. If you want to find out whether others are deceitful, you will guess in advance that others will deceive me, and you will assume that others are dishonest. Reverse fraud It is fraud. Unbelief means dishonesty, being deceived and not realizing. Not suspecting other people’s fraud and dishonesty in advance, but often being able to perceive everything in advance, only a bright and pure conscience can do it? However, fraud and dishonesty Integrity seems to have little difference, so there are many people who deviate from their perception and conspire to cheat." Not being rebellious, not imagining, but being able to detect in advance, this is what Confucius pointed out when pointing out the current disadvantages. At that time, people were bent on deceiving others and doing dishonest things, and fell into the quagmire of fraud and dishonesty; He is deceitful, not presumptuous or untrustworthy, but he does not know how to develop conscience, and is often deceived by others. Therefore, Confucius expressed his feelings and said these words.Confucius' words are not teaching people to think specifically about how to be aware of other people's fraud and untrustworthiness.Premeditated intentions are exactly what future generations will do with suspicion and treachery.With premeditated thoughts, it is no longer possible to enter the holy way of Yao and Shun.Those who are deceived without believing or believing have not yet lost their good nature, but they are not as wise as those who can cultivate their conscience so that they can naturally detect fraud and hypocrisy in advance.You said that only people with a clear and clear conscience can do this. You have basically grasped the purpose of Confucius' discourse, but it is only your ingenuity to comprehend it, and it cannot be implemented in practice. Conscience is in the heart of man, spanning all ages and filling the universe, without distinction.This is exactly what the ancients said, "Know without worrying", "Know dangers by constant ease", "Ability without learning", "Know obstacles by constant simplification", "Congenital without violating. Heaven does not violate, let alone human beings? Are there ghosts and gods?" The people you mentioned who deviate from their perception and secretly engage in deceit may not be deceitful, but they may be self-deceitful; although they do not guess whether others are honest, they may not be really confident.This makes them often have the idea of ​​seeking foresight, but they cannot often realize themselves.Often have the idea of ​​seeking the foresight, it is already a conceit, and this is enough to deceive their conscience.This is why ignorance and deceit cannot be avoided. A gentleman studies to improve his self-cultivation. He cannot always worry about others' deception, as long as he does not deceive himself on his own conscience; he cannot always worry about others' distrust, as long as he believes in his own conscience. It is better to keep your own conscience than to know in advance the deceit and mistrust of others.Therefore, if a gentleman does not deceive, his conscience will be pure and sincere, and sincerity will be clear; if a gentleman is confident, his conscience will be clear and clear, and sincerity will be sincere.Sincerity and sincerity promote each other, so conscience can always be enlightened and clear.A conscience that is always enlightened and clear is like a bright mirror hanging high, and everything in front of it naturally cannot hide its beauty and ugliness.Why is this?Conscience does not deceive but is sincere, so it does not allow deceit, and if there is deceit, it can detect it; conscience is confident and bright, it does not tolerate dishonesty, and it can detect dishonesty if it exists.This is the so-called "easy to know the danger, simple to know the obstacle", and Zisi's so-called "sincerity is like a god, you can know it in advance".However, what Zisi said about "like a god" and "can be known in advance" are divided into two things.Because he is talking about the effects of thinking and sincerity, and he is talking about people who can't foresight.If only in terms of sincerity, then the wonderful use of sincerity is called "god", not "like a god".Sincerity can be ignorant and omniscient, so there is no need to say "know before". Here, Wang Yangming answered the question of how to treat prophets correctly.In his opinion, prophecy with intention is the behavior of a villain, not what a gentleman should do.Don't say that you want to be a prophet, even if you have this thought, you are already far away from the way of Yao and Shun.It is better to be deceived than to be a prophet, which is still good.If you don't have a conscience, you can't be aware of it first, and you are often deceived by others.Therefore, the best way is to work hard on the ground to develop conscience and naturally foresight.