Great Virtue Accommodates All Things
The idea of virtue accommodating all things originated in The Book of Changes. "The earth is generous and peaceful, and similarly, a man of virtue should have ample virtue and accommodate all things," it reads. This means that the earth, being generous and peaceful, sustains all things. Men of virtue should model themselves after the earth by caring for all things and fellow human beings with an open heart and virtues. The idea demonstrates the Chinese outlook on self-cultivation and social interaction. It instructs people to cultivate virtues of gen- erosity, broad-mindedness, and mildness, respect differences and diversity, and seek harmony in relationships with others and society.
Alongside the notion of continuous efforts to strengthen oneself, it constitutes a fundamental trait of the Chinese nation which was fully embodied in pursuits of change and openness during the reform and opening up in contemporary China.
厚德载物
厚德载物出自《周易·坤卦·象传》，原文是“地势坤，君子以厚德载物”。意为大地宽广和顺、涵养万物，君子为人处世应像大地一样，以博大宽厚的德行包容万物。厚德载物体现了中国人自身修养与社会交往的信念追求。在中国人看来，一个人应修养自身德行，培养宽厚、包容、柔和的道德品格，尊重不同、维持多元，与他人和社会和谐相处。
自强不息、厚德载物构成了中华民族精神的基本品格。当代中国改革开放的进程，集中体现了这样的变革和开放精神。
