《大学》原为《礼记》第四十二篇，约为秦汉之际儒家作品。一说曾子作。提出明明德、亲民、止于至善的三纲领和格物、致知、诚意、正心、修身、齐家、治国、平天下的八条目。宋代程颢、程颐兄弟从《礼记》中把它抽出，以与《论语》、《孟子》、《中庸》相配合。至南宋淳熙年间（1174-—1189），朱熹撰《四书集注》，将它和《中庸》、《论语》、《孟子》合为“四书”。现在如今流传最广的版本为朱熹版本。
《大学》
The Great Learning
By Confucius Written ca. 500 B.C.E 第七章 Chapter 7
所谓诚其意者，毋自欺也。如恶恶臭，如好好色，此之谓自谦。故君子必慎其独也。
注解：使意念真诚的意思是说，不要自己欺骗自己。要像厌恶腐臭的气味一样，要像喜爱美丽的女人一样，一切都发自内心。所以，品德高尚的人哪怕是在一个人独处的时候，也一定要谨慎。
What is meant by "making the thoughts sincere." is the allowing no self-deception, as when we hate a bad smell, and as when we love what is beautiful. This is called self-enjoyment. Therefore, the superior man must be watchful over himself when he is alone. 小人闲居为不善，无所不至，见君子而后厌然，掩其不善，而著其善。人之视己，如见其肺肝然，则何益矣。此谓诚于中，形于外，故君子必慎其独也。
注解：品德低下的人在私下里无恶不作，一见到品德高尚的人便躲躲闪闪，掩盖自己所做的坏事而自吹自擂。殊不知，别人看你自己，就像能看见你的心肺肝脏一样清楚，掩盖有什么用呢？这就叫做内心的真实一定会表现到外表上来。所以，品德高尚的人哪怕是在一个人独处的时候，也一定要谨慎。
There is no evil to which the mean man, dwelling retired, will not proceed, but when he sees a superior man, he instantly tries to disguise himself, concealing his evil, and displaying what is good. The other beholds him, as if he saw his heart and reins;-of what use is his disguise? This is an instance of the saying -"What truly is within will be manifested without." Therefore, the superior man must be watchful over himself when he is alone. 曾子曰：“十目所视，十手所指，其严乎！”富润屋，德润身，心广体胖，故君子必诚其意。
注解：曾子说：“十只眼睛看着，十只手指着，这难道不令人畏惧吗？！” 财富可以装饰房屋，品德却可以修养身心，使心胸宽广而身体舒泰安康。所以，品德高尚的人一定要使自己的意念真诚。
The disciple Tsang said, "What ten eyes behold, what ten hands point to, is to be regarded with reverence!" Riches adorn a house, and virtue adorns the person. The mind is expanded, and the body is at ease. Therefore, the superior man must make his thoughts sincere.