The Essence of the 'Great Treatise A': A Philosophical Inquiry into the Gentleman's Establishment of Life and the Order of the *Yi*
This article deeply interprets the core proposition from the 'Great Treatise A'—'That which the gentleman dwells in and finds peace is the order of the *Yi*.' It examines how the gentleman, by internalizing the Way of Heaven and Earth and utilizing the *Book of Changes* as the foundation for establishing his life, achieves a state of 'auspiciousness without detriment' through observing the images and contemplating the textual explanations, situated within the Pre-Qin context and the Confucian tradition.
V. "What Man assists is trustworthiness" (Ren Zhi suo zhu zhe, xin ye)
What Man assists is the trustworthy person.
Xin (Trustworthiness) is a critically important concept in Pre-Qin thought.
Analects, Xue Er:
"The Master said: 'When young, be filial at home, respectful to elders when out; be earnest and trustworthy; love all extensively and cultivate benevolence. If there is surplus energy after practicing this, use it to study literature.'"
Analects, Wei Zheng:
"The Master said: 'If a person lacks trustworthiness, I do not know what else he can do. If a large cart lacks the pin connecting the shaft to the crossbeam, or a small cart lacks the pin connecting the pole to the axle, how can they move$32'"
"If a person lacks trustworthiness, I do not know what else he can do"—if a person has no credibility, I do not know how he can establish himself. It is like a large cart missing the pin that fastens the shaft, or a small cart missing its pivot; the vehicle cannot move.
Why can "Trustworthiness" garner assistance from others$33 Because Xin means consistency between words and actions, outward appearance matching inner reality, and being reliable. Once a person has "Trustworthiness," others are willing to help, support, and follow him.
In politics, Xin is the very foundation of the state.
Analects, Yan Yuan (颜渊):
"Zi Gong asked about governance. The Master said: 'Enough food, enough soldiers, and the people trust them.' Zi Gong asked: 'If you must eliminate one, which comes first$34' He replied: 'Eliminate the soldiers.' Zi Gong asked: 'If you must eliminate another, which comes first$35' He replied: 'Eliminate the food. Since ancient times, death has been inevitable; but without the people’s trust, the state cannot stand.'"
"Without the people’s trust, the state cannot stand"—if the people do not trust the government, the state cannot be maintained. Among "food," "soldiers," and "trustworthiness," "trustworthiness" is the most fundamental.