Chung
Chung
The Mean. See Chung yung. (Confucius.)
The central self or moral being, in which “the passions such as joy, anger, grief, and pleasure have not awakened,” and which exists “in a state of absolute tranquillity without being moved.” See ho. (Early Confucianism; Neo-Confucianism.)
The central or the proper principle; the Moral Law (tao); the “ultimate principle” of the universe; “the great basis of existence”; “the beginning and the end of the universe.”
The principle of centrality, which is observable in everything, that everything should have the proper balance of activity and tranquillity. (Tung Chung-shu, 177-104 B.C., Ch’eng Ming-tao, 1032-1086.)
Impartiality; the principle of neutrality which is present in every human heart.
The inner life; the inner principle. (Lao Tzu.)
— W.T.C.
Chung
Being true to the principle of the self; being true to the originally good nature of the self; being one’s true self; the Confucian “central thread or principle” (i kuan) with respect to the self, as reciprocity (shu) is that principle with respect to others. See i kuan.
Exerting one’s pure heart to the utmost, to the extent of “not a single thought not having been exhausted”, honesty, sincerity; devotion of soul, conscientiousness. (Confucianism.) “Honesty (chung) is complete realization of one’s nature” whereas truthfulness (hsin) is “complete realization of the nature of things.” “Honesty (chung) is the subjective side of truthfulness (hsin) whereas truthfulness is the objective side of honesty.” (Ch’eng Ming-tao, 1032-1086.)
“Honesty is exerting one’s heart to the utmost whereas truthfulness is the observance of the Reason of things.” (Chu Hsi, 1230-1300.)
Impartiality, especially in love and profit,
Loyalty, especially to one’s superiors, faithfulness.
— W.T.C.
Chung
Identity, one of the proofs of agreement. See Mo che. — W.T.C.