# Commentary 5: Zhu Xi’s supplement on investigation: summary

Zhu Xi supplies an explanation of investigating principles and extending knowledge as a missing commentary; it is distinguished from lost original text.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/great-learning/chapter-06-commentary-5-zhu-xi-s-supplement-on-investigation

## Source and summary

[Zhu Xi’s Great Learning chapters · Commentary 5: Zhu Xi’s supplement on investigation](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%9B%9B%E6%9B%B8%E7%AB%A0%E5%8F%A5%E9%9B%86%E8%A8%BB/%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%B8%E7%AB%A0%E5%8F%A5&oldid=2647788)

> 所謂致知在格物者：言欲至吾之知，在即物而窮其理也，蓋人心之靈莫不有知，而天下之物莫不有理。惟於理有未窮，故其知有不盡也。是以大學始教，必使學者即凡天下之物。莫不因其已知之理而益窮之…

Zhu Xi supplies an explanation of investigating principles and extending knowledge as a missing commentary; it is distinguished from lost original text.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Check an explanation against records and actual work, then investigate one condition still unknown.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using commentary 5: zhu xi’s supplement on investigation, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[The Great Learning: purpose and practice](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/great-learning)

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Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0