大节

行事的根本原则与节度。“大节”与“小节”相对，规定着不同身份的人所应担负的根本职责及相应的行事法则，是人必须持守的节度。在日常的人伦生活中，人们虽有过错，但一般不会违背“大节”。而“大节”的失守，往往是由于禁受不住巨大的压力或诱惑。因此，持守“大节”是对人的严峻考验。

Major Principles

This term means fundamental principles and standards of behavior. In comparison with minor principles, major principles are about the fundamental duties borne by people of different social status and how they should be performed; they are standards of conduct that people must observe. In ethical human relations, people may commit mistakes, but generally they will not defy major principles. If they should lose control of themselves, it may be the result of failing to withstand great pressure or to resist great temptation. Therefore, remaining true to major principles becomes a major challenge.

引例

曾子曰：“可以托六尺之孤，可以寄百里之命，临大节而不可夺也。君子人与？君子人也。”（《论语·泰伯》）（曾子说：“可以托付给他幼小的孤儿，可以委托他执掌诸侯国的政令，面对‘大节’的考验而不会动摇。这种人是君子吗？是君子啊。”）

Zengzi said, "Suppose there was an individual who could be entrusted with the care of a young orphan, and could be commissioned with authority over a state, and who would not be driven to abandon major principles in the face of difficulties. Is such a man a man of virtue? Indeed, he is a man of virtue." (The Analects)