xiánrén 贤人
Person of Integrity
贤德之人。“贤人”是古人所推崇的理想人格之一。“贤人”能够践行并维护人伦生活的各种规则,其言行被作为人伦生活的典范。不过,不同学派对于“贤人”之德的具体内涵会有不同的理解。儒家所言“贤人”,即能够践行仁义等道德,是为政的重要人才。而墨家所言“贤人”,则要能够使治下的百姓以“兼爱”作为根本的行事原则。此外,如道家等学派则认为对“贤人”的推崇会导致无谓的纷争,不利于社会的治理。
A person of integrity is one with the ideal character championed by the ancient Chinese. A person of integrity practices and observes all the ethical rules and standards in life, and his behavior is revered as the model for such a way of life. However, different schools of thought have different understanding as to what qualities a person of integrity should have. To Confucian scholars, a person of integrity practices moral virtues such as benevolence and righteousness and is considered competent for being an official. Mohists, however, believe a person of integrity should see that those under his governance practice universal love as their fundamental moral guidance. Still others, such as Daoist scholars, argue that exalting a person of integrity would lead to unnecessary controversy and would thus be detrimental to governance.
引例 Citations:
◎子曰:“见贤思齐焉,见不贤而内自省也。”(《论语·里仁》)
(孔子说:“遇见有德才的人,就要想着努力向他看齐;遇见德才不好的人,就要在内心反省自己[是否有同样的缺点]。”)
Confucius said, “When you see a person of integrity, you should emulate him; when you see an indecent person, you should reflect on your own shortcomings.” (The Analects)
◎夫尚贤者,政之本也。(《墨子·尚贤上》)
(崇尚有德才的人,是为政的根本。)
Respecting a person of integrity is fundamental to governance. (Mozi)