Listen to this articleqiónglǐ-jìnxìng 穷理尽性
Exploring the Nature of All Things
彻底探究人和事物的原理，充分发挥人和事物的本性。“穷理”即寻根究源，穷尽与人或事物有关的一切原理、规律或法则；“尽性”即透彻了解，充分发挥人和事物固有的天性或本质属性。宋代理学家将其作为认识世界、修养道德、通达性命的根本方法，王阳明（1472—1529）认为“理”与“性”并非二事，“穷理”即是“尽性”。中国古人认为，认识世界和认识自我，改造世界和提升自我，是同步互动、有机统一的过程。通过这一过程的努力，才能达到人与自然和谐平衡、主体与客体融合为一的理想境界。
This term means to thoroughly explore the fundamental nature and pervasive laws of humanity and all things, which includes the exploration of natural phenomena, cosmic laws, and local events. We must fully understand how all things are connected, so that we can contribute to all things flourishing in their roles. Neo-Confucian scholars of the Song Dynasty took this conception as a fundamental means to understand the world, to cultivate one’s morality, and to know in depth the principles of heaven. Wang Yangming (1472-1529) held that laws and nature are not two different things. To explore the laws of things means to find out their nature. Ancient Chinese believed that to understand the world and oneself, and to reform the world and improve oneself are a process of interaction and unity. Only when such process advances can the harmony between humanity and all things be accomplished.
引例 Citations：
◎穷理尽性，以至于命。（《周易·说卦》）
（穷尽与人和事物有关的一切原理和规律，充分发挥人和事物的天性，从而达到与天命合一、安身立命的理想境界。）
Thoroughly explore the nature of humanity and all things and maximize their natural roles, then the ideal realm of people acting in line with laws and living in peace with nature can be reached. (The Book of Changes)
◎（王霆）尝训其子弟曰：“穷理尽性，学之本也。”（《宋史·王霆传》）
（王霆曾经教育晚辈说：“穷理尽性，是学问的根本。”）
Wang Ting once exhorted his young disciples, “It’s essential to thoroughly explore the nature of humanity and all things and bring them to fulfilment in their roles.” (The History of the Song Dynasty)
