“圣”义及其观念溯源

“圣”是中国传统文化中一个基本观念.顾颉刚先生认为“圣”字最初只是非常普通的知识意义上的聪明义,诸种崇高和神秘义都是后来加上去的.我们同意顾先生的后一判断,但不同意前一判断.我们认为“圣”字初义当为“听治”,引申为“善听”.“善听”之义也主要不是从知识听辨而是从德性意义上来引申展开的.在最早的文献中,“圣”义及其观念主要不是知识意义上的“聪明”而是德性意义上的宽容、通达(包括通神)、自制、顺从等涵义.稳定形态的“圣”的崇高、超越与神秘义及观念可能主要是春秋后的引申发展.

The Meaning of Sage and Tracing its Idea to the Source

Sage is a basic conception in the ancient Chinese culture. Mr.Gu Jiegang considered that the original meaning of Sage was intellect in the sense of knowledge commonly, and the conception as sublime, mystery etc., were developed afterward. We agree on the latter opinion of Mr.Gu, but disagree on the former..We think that the original meaning of the word Sage is listening to a report from the underling (reign), and then extended to the meaning be good at listening. The meaning be good at listening is mainly d...