Listen to this articleqiútóng-cúnyì 求同存异
Seek Common Ground While Setting Aside Differences
寻求共同点，保留不同点。战国时期的学者惠施（前370？—前310？）、庄子（前369？—前286）等人认为，一切事物的差别﹑对立都是相对的，差异性中包含着同一性。从辩证的观点看，一切事物的差异都是相对的，都存在相互转化的可能。以孔子（前551—前479）为代表的儒家文化则强调在处理人与人、国与国之间关系时，在承认彼此有差异的前提下，通过协调而达到一种“和而不同”的状态。承认差异的存在或者暂时搁置差异，承认文化和价值观的多元，不追求绝对的一致、苟同，尽量站在对方的立场去看问题，努力寻求彼此的共同点，最终达成各方最大的共识。这一思想后来成为中国处理对外关系的重要理念。
The term means to seek points of agreement while maintaining difference of opinion. Scholars of the Warring States Period such as Hui Shi (370?-310? BC) and Zhuangzi (369?-286BC) believed that differences and antitheses between all things are relative, and that commonalities exist within differences. From a dialectical perspective, differences between all things are relative and there is always the possibility of one thing transforming into its opposite. The Confucian culture represented by Confucius (551-479BC) stressed that in relations between people and between states, “harmony without uniformity” should be achieved through accommodation, provided that differences between the parties are recognized. The greatest possible consensus between all sides is ultimately reached by acknowledging the existence of differences or setting them aside. To achieve such consensus, people should recognize the diversity of cultures and values and not seek absolute unanimity or forced agreement; and they should look at problems as much as possible from the perspective of others. This approach subsequently became an important principle underlying China’s handling of foreign relations.
引例 Citations：
◎大同而与小同异，此之谓“小同异”；万物毕同毕异，此之谓“大同异”。（《庄子·天下》）
（大同小异与小同大异是有区别的，这种区别称为“小同异”； 万物完全相同、完全不同，这称为“大同异”。）
When there are major commonalities and minor differences, or minor commonalities and major differences, it is called “minor commonality and differentiation.” When things are totally identical or totally different, it is called “major commonality and differentiation.” (Zhuangzi)
◎君子和而不同，小人同而不和。（《论语·子路》）
（君子追求和谐友善，但对具体问题的看法却不会附和别人；小人习惯于附和别人，但并不和谐友善。）
A virtuous man seeks harmony but not unanimity; a petty man seeks unanimity but not harmony. (The Analects)
