古人的行事法则聚焦修身养性与人际交往两方面。在外在交往的同时，不要忽视自己的内心。
想要如同古人一样内外兼修，需要长年累月的沉淀，不断锤炼修为、心境，驾驭自身。一起学习以下几个关键词吧。
中英文内容来自中华思想文化术语传播工程核心成果——《中华思想文化术语》丛书。
慎独
Shendu
在独处时谨慎对待自己的行为，自觉遵守道德、礼法的要求。
Shendu requires being careful with one’s conduct when being alone, consciously following morality and the requirements of etiquette.
在心上做工夫，使内心与道德、礼法所要求的言行相符。
It also requires that one makes efforts in one’s heart, so that one’s inner world is in agreement with the words and actions required by morality and etiquette.
▌引例
是故君子戒慎乎其所不睹，恐惧乎其所不闻。莫见（xiàn）乎隐， 莫显乎微，故君子慎其独也。（《礼记·中庸》）
A man of virtue is cautious when he is not being watched by others and apprehensive when what he says is not being heard. There is nothing more visible than in what is secret, and nothing more obvious than in what is vague and minute. Therefore, a man of virtue is watchful when he is at leisure and alone.
中和
Balanced Harmony
人心所达到的中正、和谐的状态。人的喜、怒、哀、乐等情感的活动及其在言行上的表现符合礼的要求，不失偏颇进而达到一种和谐的状态，即是 “中和”。
It is an ideal state of human mind. When people’s emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are expressed in an unbiased way in keeping with the rites, a state of mind featuring balanced harmony is achieved.
▌引例
喜怒哀乐之未发，谓之中；发而皆中（zhòng）节，谓之和。中也者，天下之大本也；和也者，天下之达道也。致中和，天地位焉，万物育焉。（《礼记·中庸》）
When joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are not yet expressed as a response to other things, they are in a state of balance. When they are expressed in words and deeds in accordance with the rites, harmony is achieved. Balance is the foundation under heaven, while harmony is the universal rule under heaven. If a ruler can achieve balanced harmony, both heaven and earth will be in their proper places, and all things will prosper and thrive.
慎思明辨
Careful Reflection and Clear Discrimination
谨慎周密地思考，清晰明确地分辨。“慎思明辨”就是思考，是由学习到实践的中间阶段。学习与思考、学习与实践是相辅相成的; 而思考则是学习的深入和提升，是实践的前导，是从学习到实践转化的关键所在。
It describes the stage of reflection between learning and practice. Study and reflection on the one hand and study and practice on the other complement each other, while reflection is a deepening and heightening of learning, a prerequisite for practice, and a key link between learning and practice.
▌引例
博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之。（《礼记·中庸》）
Learn broadly, examine closely, reflect carefully, discriminate clearly, and practice earnestly.
实事求是
Seek Truth from Facts
多指依据实际情况进行思考或表达，如实、正确地对待和处理问题。它既是一种关于思维或认识的方法论原则，也是一种做人的基本态度或伦理操守。
This term means handling things correctly according to realities of the situation. Meaning expressing ideas or handling matters according to reality. Basically, it calls for behaving in a practical, realistic, and honest way.
▌引例
河间献王德……修学好古，实事求是。（《汉书·景十三王传·河间献王德》）
Liu De, Prince Xian of Hejian… loved to study history and always sought the right understanding based on thorough grasp of evidence.
知行合一
Unity of Knowledge and Action
对“知”“行”关系的一种认识。对人伦日用之道的体认与践行不能割裂，二者是一体的两面。
This is one interpretation of the relationship between “knowledge” and “action.” It was impossible to separate an understanding of the principles underlying human relations in everyday life from the application of these principles, that these were two sides of the same thing.
▌引例
外心以求理，此知行之所以二也；求理于吾心，此圣门知行合一之教。（《传习录》卷中）
Searching for principles outside the mind is the reason why people separate knowledge from action; searching for principles within one’s mind is how sages teach about the unity of knowledge and action.
中华思想文化术语
《中华思想文化术语（历史 哲学 文艺）》是国务院批准设立的“中华思想文化术语传播工程”的成果之一，以学生和教师等群体为读者对象，为其研读、理解和翻译中华思想文化相关内容提供准确权威、正本清源的参考。
这些术语反映了中国传统文化特征和民族思维方式，体现了中国核心价值，编写者用易于口头表达、交流的简练语言客观准确地予以诠释，目的是在政府机构、社会组织、传播媒体等对外交往活动中，传播好中国声音，讲好中国故事，让世界更多了解中国国情、历史和文化。