Great Learning

The Great Learning or Dà Xué are are of the four most important books in (Neo) Confucianism. It was originally a chapter inside the Book of Rites but later considered its own thing due to its connection to virtue and order while the Book of Rites covered a whole array of rituals, ceremonies and more.

Teachings

The Great Learning basically says that to achieve personal virtue one must have a behaving, well-structured family, state and world.

Sān Gāng

Sān gāng or Three Guiding Principles are the three principles that help you achieve personal virtue. First, you have Míng Míng Dé (illustrious virtue) where one cultivates their moral character. Second, Qīn Mín (Renew the People), basically where one strives to love others and guide them towards improvement.

Lastly, you have Zhǐ Yú Zhì Shàn (Rest in the Highest Good) where one should strive for (moral) excellence.

Bā Tiáomù

Bā Tiáomù or 'The Eight Steps' are steps or ways that one can follow to achieve the Three Guiding Principles.

1. Gé Wù, where one studies the principles of things
2. Zhì Zhī, extension of knowledge
3. Chéng Yì, purify your intentions i.e. acting out of goodwill
4. Zhèng Xīn, aliging the mind with virtue
5. Xiū Shēn, developing one's morality
6. Qí Jiā, well structured and orderly family life
7. Zhì Guó, to govern benelovently and caring for your people
8. Píng Tiānxià, literally bringing peace to the world

Read it online

The Great Learning (and Doctrine of the Mean), translated by Robert Eno

The Internet Classics Archive | The Great Learning by Confucius