# Commentary 6: sincerity and self-deception: summary

Explains sincerity as not deceiving oneself and examines conduct outside others’ observation.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/great-learning/chapter-07-commentary-6-sincerity-and-self-deception

## Source and summary

[Zhu Xi’s Great Learning chapters · Commentary 6: sincerity and self-deception](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)

> 所謂誠其意者：毋自欺也，如惡惡臭，如好好色。此之謂自謙。故君子必慎其獨也。小人閒居為不善，無所不至，見君子，而后厭然。揜其不善，而著其善。人之視己，如見其肺肝然，則何益矣？此謂誠於…

Explains sincerity as not deceiving oneself and examines conduct outside others’ observation.

## 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

Include unfavorable results and unknowns in decision materials rather than polishing only favorable figures.

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 6: sincerity and self-deception, 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)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/great-learning/chapter-07-commentary-6-sincerity-and-self-deception.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0