主文而谲谏- Chinese philosophy and culture

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zhǔ wén ér jué jiàn 主文而谲谏

Admonition Through Tactful Wording

诗歌在歌咏的同时以含蓄委婉的方式对执政者进行讽谏。“文”指有文采的歌咏;“谲”义为曲折变化,意思是不要直陈执政者的过失;“谏”就是规劝、谏诫。出自《毛诗序》。最初由儒家总结《诗经》的表达手法而提出,后来用为一切文艺作品应当遵循的标准。它的核心思想是,诗歌可以对执政者进行劝谏、讽刺,但要以含蓄委婉的言辞、比兴譬喻的方式寄托对执政者的批评以及对现实的不满。这一命题是儒家政治伦理在文学批评领域的具体表现。

This term shows that poetry should indirectly and mildly advise a ruler against wrongdoing. The critic should resort mainly to tactful and sensitive wording, trying not to appear blunt or offensive when admonishing the ruler. The term first appeared in the “Introductions to Mao’s Version of The Book of Songs“; it was created by Confucian scholars in summarizing the various means of expression in The Book of Songs. Later, it became a criterion for measuring all works of art and literature. The core message is that, while poetry can be used to criticize or satirize a ruler and also to show discontent with social reality, a mild or indirect way should be employed, namely analogy, association, simile, and metaphor. This view is a manifestation of Confucian political ethics in the field of literary criticism.

引例 Citation:

◎上以风化下,下以风刺上。主文而谲谏,言之者无罪,闻之者足以戒,故曰风。(《毛诗序》)

(执政者用风诗教化百姓,百姓也用风诗讥刺执政者,用富于文采的诗歌对执政者含蓄委婉地进行劝讽,歌咏的人不会因此获罪,听闻诗歌的人足以引起警诫,所以将这类诗称作“风”。)

Rulers use feng (ballads) to cultivate the people and the people use them to ridicule the rulers. So long as a critic advises the monarch mildly and through beautiful poetry, he will not be found guilty and the monarch he criticizes will become more careful in making decisions. These poems are called feng. (Introductions to Mao’s Version of The Book of Songs)

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