First, 'ryochi' is the innate moral knowledge that everybody has in their mind irrespective of rank or social status ("innate knowledge and ability are the same for the foolish person as they are for the sage") and the source of a person's vitality.
まず「良知」とは貴賤にかかわらず万人が心の内にもつ先天的な道徳知(「良知良能は、愚夫愚婦も聖人と同じ」)であり、また人間の生命力の根元でもある。