與〈中庸〉以「中」為論述對象不同，「中」在《論語》是一個隱含概念，然而這並不妨礙它處處顯見「中行」之道。《論語》之「中行」以內在德性為基礎，向外延伸至處世行為，並最終落實到社會秩序的建構上。首先它推揚的內在德性具有「中行」特徵，這根源於「剛毅木訥」之仁性上。在「內向性」價值影響下，它雖主張「文質彬彬」「德學並重」之理想範式，但在「文勝質」的現實中又呈現寧質勿文、以德攝學的理解性折衷。此外，《論語》以「中節」的工夫論實現外向行世的「中行」。當「中節」能因應環境隨時「節中」，便達「時中」境界。孔子之「時中」無可無不可，但實以「義」為則，此即將處世的「中行」統攝於內在仁性的「中行」。為矯禮制「文勝質」之過，孔子突顯「禮質」，主張寧質勿文之折衷，從而將「禮之本」統攝於仁上。而以仁為本的中正之禮，亦對人間秩序予以「中節」。

The word zhong 中(moderate) in the Analects of Confucius 論語has been, but not fully discussed by researchers. In this scripture, zhong is an implied concept rather than a direct discussion object as it like in another scripture Zhong-Yong 中庸(Moderation). However, the doctrine of the mean idea appears everywhere in the Analects, in which it bases on internal morality, and extends to behavior outwardly, and finally contributes to the construction of the social order. More specifically, the Analects appreciates morality with moderation feature, which rooted in ren 仁(benevolence). As a result of this inwardness value-orientation, despite of advocating ideal balance between wen 文 (decoration) and zhi 質(essence), as well as morality and learning, under the universal over-superiority of wen, the Analects actually presents understanding compromise which could be described as ＂preferring zhi rather than wen＂, or ＂governing learning with morality＂. Moreover, in the Analects, behavioral moderation comes true with restraint as its methodology, by which people could reach the realm of shi-zhong 時中in case of restraining along with the change of circumstance. Confucius' shi-zhong behaved without any preconceived criterion, but actually guided by yi 義(righteousness), wherefore commands behavioral moderation with moral moderation. Finally, moderation is supposed to be fulfilled in constructing ritual order. For correcting the over-superiority of wen in etiquette, Confucius made the zhi of ritual prominent, and proposed compromise of preferring zhi rather than wen, therefore assigned the essence of ritual to ren. Conversely, moderate ritual that bases on ren could also bring about restraining effect on morality either ethical order. As described above, moderation concept in the Analects is quite substantial in non-metaphysical perspective.