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.