“格物致知”，用英语怎么说？

学

Learn

学习，儒家认为它是成就道德生命的一种修养和教化方式。一般意义上的“学”主要指对知识的理解和掌握，而儒家所言之“学”则更多指向道德品性的养成。个人通过后天对经典和礼法的学习以及对圣贤的效法，不断培养、完善自身的德性，以成就理想的人格。道家则反对“学”，如老子主张“绝学无忧”，认为“学”会带来内心不必要的忧虑，乃至破坏人的自然状态。

To Confucianism, learning is the way to cultivate oneself to achieve moral integrity. The usual meaning of the term is to acquire knowledge and understanding, but for Confucianism it focuses more on the cultivation of moral and ethical qualities to achieve personal growth. Through learning classics and rites, and following the practices of sages, a person is able to cultivate and improve his moral standards and thus become a person of ideal qualities. Daoists, on the other hand, are against learning, and Laozi said that "fine-sounding arguments" only cause unnecessary worries, and can disrupt a person's natural state of mind. 

▌引例

学而时习之，不亦说（yuè）乎？（《论语·学而》）

Isn't it a pleasure to learn and apply from time to time what one has learned? (The Analects)

习

Practice

练习、熟习以及由此形成的习惯。“习”是学习过程中的一个重要环节。一般意义上的“习”，主要指对知识、技能的反复练习。而儒家所言“习”，则更多地指向道德生命的养成。个人需要按照所学得的道德、礼法要求，反复践行。在不断熟习的过程中，使符合德礼要求的言行成为自身的习惯。

子曰：“性相近也，习相远也。” （《论语·阳货》）

Confucius said, "Human nature is similar at birth, it is only made different later by practices in the environment." (The Analects)

读万卷书，行万里路

Read Ten Thousand Books and Travel Ten Thousand Li

多读书，多走路。比喻要努力读书，尽可能多地丰富书本知识，掌握间接经验；同时要尽可能多地接触实际，丰富自己的亲身体验，开阔眼界，增进见识。理论与实际相结合，间接经验与直接经验相结合，既有真才实学，又能学以致用。

This means one should acquire as much knowledge as possible from books to gain the experience of others. At the same time, one should also have as much direct contact with the world as possible to enrich one's personal experience and broaden one's horizon. When one applies theory in practice and draws on both direct and indirect experience, he will gain true knowledge.

▌引例

人生宇宙间，志愿当何如？不行万里路，即读万卷书。（高士奇《扈从杂记》其四）

What aspiration should one have? Travel ten thousand li to see the world, and read ten thousand books. (Gao Shiqi: Miscellaneous Notes on Escorting Journeys)

Study Things to Acquire Knowledge

在与事物的接触中体认人伦日用之道。“格物”“致知”出自《礼记•大学》，与诚意、正心、修身、齐家、治国、平天下并称“八条目”。“致知”在于“格物”，二者密切相关，故有时并称“格致”。历代学者对“格物致知”的含义有多种不同的理解：或强调在对事物的接触中穷究其“理”；或强调亲自实践以掌握各种德行、技艺；或以心意所在为“物”，进而以内心的修正为“格物”。

事皆有理，至其理，乃格物也。（《二程外书》卷二）

All things have their own principles. An exhaustive inquiry into the principles means the study of things. (More Writings of the Cheng Brothers)                       

日新

Constant Renewal

天天更新。努力使自身不断更新，使民众、社会、国家不断更新，持续进步、完善，始终呈现新的气象。它是贯穿在“修齐治平”各层面的一种自强不息、不断革新进取的精神。

This term refers to an ongoing process of self-renewal, which also brings new life to the people, society, and the nation. This process features continuous progress and improvement. It represents a tenacious and innovative spirit that permeates all levels of "self-cultivation, family regulation, state governance, bringing peace to all under heaven".

▌引例

汤之盘铭曰：“苟日新，日日新，又日新。”《康诰》曰：“作新民。”《诗》曰：“周虽旧邦，其命维新。”是故君子无所不用其极。（《礼记·大学》）

"If we can improve ourselves in one day, we should do so every day, and keep building on improvement," reads the inscription on the bathtub of Tang, founder of the Shang Dynasty. "People should be encouraged to discard the old and embrace the new, give up evil ideas, and live up to high moral standards," says The Book of History. "Though it was an ancient state, Zhou saw its future lying in continuously renewing itself," comments The Book of Songs. Therefore, men of virtue should strive to excel themselves in all aspects and at all times. (The Book of Rites)

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