or Chung yung or Doctrine of the Mean
One of four ancient Confucian texts known as the Four Books , published together in 1190 by Zhu Xi .
Its metaphysics had interested Buddhists and earlier Neo-Confucianists. Zhu Xi attributes the work to Confucius ' grandson Zi Si, though it was actually part of Liji ("Book of Rites"), one of the Five Classics . Zhongyong expresses an ideal of moderation, rectitude, and lack of prejudice that should encompass virtually every relationship and activity in life.