ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the notion of the “timely mean” of Dong Zhongshu that reveals noticeable differences from that of the Doctrine of the Mean. Dong Zhongshu also talked about the way of Heaven that achieves all things, saying nothing. Contrary to the conduct of humans, the way of Heaven moves according to the four seasons without words and produces its fruits naturally in the continuously changing process: “Heaven does not speak, but accomplishes her virtuous merits.” In the prologue of the Rule, Benedict states that the goal of religious life is the Kingdom of God. In the prologue of the Rule, Benedict states that the goal of religious life is the Kingdom of God. Finally, as Cassian stated, Benedict also concludes that the highest virtue that humans can attain is humility that tries to fulfill the will of God.
