An Inquiry into the Core of Xunzi's 'On Rites': The Origin of Rites, Textual-Structural Logic, and the Way of Elevation and Reduction
This article provides an in-depth exegesis of the foundational text in the opening of Xunzi's 'On Rites,' systematically analyzing the logical chain linking the origin of rites to human desire and societal conflict, elucidating the structural concept of 'Honoring the fundamental is called text (wen), utilizing it closely is called principle (li),' and investigating the hierarchical dimensions of elevation (long), reduction (sha), and the middle way within rites pertaining to the gentleman's path.
Section 5 Unification of Depth, Greatness, Height, and Brightness
The four virtues—Depth, Greatness, Height, and Brightness—are not four independent qualities but an organic whole.
"Depth" (Hou) is the foundation—without profound accumulation, there can be no broad scope, sublime character, or penetrating understanding.
"Greatness" (Da) is the scope—if one is deep but not broad, one becomes confined to one aspect and cannot encompass the entirety of Rites.
"Height" (Gao) is the degree—if one is broad but not high, one remains mediocre and cannot reach the sublime realm of Rites.
"Brightness" (Ming) is the articulation—if one is high but not bright, one remains abstract and cannot be implemented in concrete practice.
The four aspects progress layer by layer, interlinked, constituting the full spectrum of the perfect character of Rites.
The structure of these four virtues reminds us of the five steps of learning described in the Zhong Yong: "Study broadly (bo xue), inquire accurately (shen wen), reflect carefully (shen si), distinguish clearly (ming bian), and practice earnestly (du xing)." "Study broadly" corresponds to "Greatness" (breadth); "inquire accurately" and "reflect carefully" correspond to "Depth" (thoroughness); "distinguish clearly" corresponds to "Brightness" (penetration); and "practice earnestly" corresponds to "Height" (sublime practical character). Although the correspondence is not one-to-one, the spirit is the same—both pursue a comprehensive, deep, and penetrating state of cultivation.