国以义为利 – Chinese philosophy and culture

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guó yǐ yì wéi lì 国以义为利

A State Should Regard Righteousness as a Benefit.

国家以道义为根本利益。“义利之辨”是中国思想史上历久常新的议题,“以义为利”则是先哲确立的基本理念。小到一身,大到一国,无利不存,但古人注重利与义的统一,认为利的本质乃是与义相合,实现利与义的和谐统一,不能因利害义,妨害大局。依照这一理念,国对民,不与民争利;国对国,不片面利己;要努力达成兼顾、兼得、平衡与共赢。

A state should regard righteousness as a fundamental benefit. The debate over righteousness and benefits has been a constant theme of discussion in the Chinese history of philosophy, because benefits were often seen as personal profits that might be wrongfully gained. Taking righteousness as the most important kind of benefit was a basic concept upheld by ancient philosophers. Neither a person nor a state can survive without benefits. However, ancients emphasized the integration of righteousness and benefits. They believed that benefits could be materialized only when combined with righteousness, and the two should stay in harmony. One must not seek personal gain at the expense of righteousness. According to this concept, a government must not vie with commoners for benefits, nor should a state vie with another state for benefits for itself only. One must always strive for mutual assistance, shared interests, balance, and win-win outcomes.

引例 Citation:

◎利者,义之和也。(《周易·文言》)

(利是义与利的和谐统一。)

Benefit is a combination of righteousness and interests. (The Book of Changes)

◎国不以利为利,以义为利也。(《礼记·大学》)

(国家不应以财利为利,而应以道义为利。)

A state should not take pecuniary gain as benefit, but righteousness as its benefit. (The Book of Rites)

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