知止而后有定,定而后能静,静而后能安,安而后能虑,虑而后能得。
To understand abiding allows calmness; calmness allows tranquility; tranquility allows peace; peace allows contemplation; and contemplation allows attainment.
物有本末,事有终始,知所先后,则近道矣。
All things have their important and unimportant aspects; all events have their start and finish.
If one knows the order of priority, he is not far from the way of the great learning.
古之欲明明德于天下者,先治其国;欲治其国者,先齐其家;欲齐其家者,先修其身;欲修其身者,先正其心;欲正其心者,先诚其意;欲诚其意者,先致其知;致知在格物。
Those of the past who wished to express their clear virtue throughout the land would first govern their state; those who wished to govern their states would first regulate their families; those who wished to regulate their families would first cultivate themselves; those who wished to cultivate themselves would first order their minds; those who wished to order their minds would first make their intentions sincere; those who wished to make their intentions sincere would first extend their understanding; and the extension of understanding lies in the investigation of things.
物格而后知至,知至而后意诚,意诚而后心正,心正而后身修,身修而后家齐,家齐而后国治,国治而后天下平。
Only after things are investigated can understanding be extended; only after understanding is extended can intentions be made sincere; only after intentions are made sincere can the mind be ordered; only after the mind is ordered can the self be cultivated; only after the self is cultivated can the family be regulated; only after the family is regulated can the state be governed; and only after the state is governed can peace be brought to the land.
自天子以至于庶人,壹是皆以修身为本。
From the emperor on down to the common people, everyone should take self-cultivation as the root.
其本乱而末治者,否矣。
For if the roots are in disorder, the branches cannot be governed.