Ancients

One of the very first Confucian philosophers wrote, in a book called "Great Learning":

"The ancients who wished to make their luminous virtue shine throughout
all-under-Heaven first brought order to their own states. Those who wished
to bring order to their own states first regulated their families. Those who
wished to regulate their families first cultivated their persons. Those who
wished to cultivate their persons first rectified their hearts. Those who
wished to rectify their hearts first made their thoughts sincere. Those who
wished to make their thoughts sincere first extended to the utmost their
knowledge."

(Quoted from The Chinese Experience, by Raymond Dawson, p. 75)

Gives me something to think about when trying to make sense of my life.