The Great Learning

1] 大学之道在明明德，在亲民，在止于至善。

The way of great learning consists in manifesting one's bright virtue, consists in loving the people, consists in stopping in perfect goodness.

[2] 知止而后有定；

When you know where to stop, you have stability.

定而后能静；

When you have stability, you can be tranquil.

静而后能安；

When you are tranquil, you can be at ease.

安而后能虑；

When you are at ease, you can deliberate.

虑而后能得。

When you can deliberate you can attain your aims.

[3] 物有本末；事有终始。知所先后则近道矣。

Things have their roots and branches, affairs have their end and beginning. When you know what comes first and what comes last, then you are near the Way.

[4] 古之欲明明德于天下者、先治其国。

The ancients who wanted to manifest their bright virtue to all in the world first governed well their own states.

欲治其国者先齐其家。

Wanting to govern well their states, they first harmonized their own clans.

欲齐其家者先修其身。

Wanting to harmonize their own clan, they first cultivated themselves.

欲修其身者先正其心。

Wanting to cultivate themselves, they first corrected their minds.

欲正奇心者先诚其意。

Wanting to correct their minds, they first made their wills sincere.

欲诚其意者先致其知。