The fifth section, on the right, illustrating the meaning of “pursuing knowledge to the utmost bounds of things,” is now lost. I [Chu-fu-tsi] considered it when at leisure; and taking the ideas of Ching-tsi, I supply that section.[1]
The phrase “pursuing knowledge to the utmost bounds of things,” implies:—If I would perfect my knowledge, it must be by investigating to the utmost, the properties of things. For the mind of man is not without knowledge; nor is any thing under heaven without [its distinguishing] properties. Only amongst those properties some are not known to the utmost; therefore knowledge is not perfect.
Wherefore, the Ta-hio, when it commences teaching, necessarily sends the learner to every substance under heaven [the obtain knowledge:] for there is nothing, though now known, that may not be still more fully known, by scrutinizing it to the utmost; till, after long exertion, things become daily more accurately and thoroughly understood, and there will be
- ↑ The Commentator says that the latter two sentences are superfluous.
