五經是經學的元典,經學的其他典籍都是訓解或依附五經而成,經學全部的注疏以至整個中國文化都以五經為根荄;元典為五決定了經學不是一經獨尊,而是具有包容性、開放性的學說,經學也因此而能夠實現日新不已的自我創新。經學典籍雖眾,但核心只有一個,就是圍繞人而立論,為人提供人之為人的價值觀,這在古人那里稱之為常道。所以經學是闡釋常道之學說,五經元典具有天經地義的法典性質與地位。中華文化綿延數千年而不絕,古代中華民族精神之魂的鑄造,都是經學常道熏陶的結果。

The Five Confucian Classics are the primary classics of Confucian classicism; the other Confucian classics are all based on them,and they are the foundation of all classical commentary and of Chinese culture. That there are five primary classics makes Confucian theory both open and all-embracing,and the Confucian classics capable of constant renovation. There are many Confucian classics,but as to the question of how to be a man,there is only one core value system,which the ancients named the "Eternal Dao. "As the theory of the Eternal Dao,Confucian classicism is the perfectly justified interpretation of the Five Confucian Classics.The transmission and continuation of Chinese culture and of the Chinese national spirit is edified by Confucian classicism.