法则、规则。“则”既指天地自然运行的规则，也指人伦生活所遵循的法则。这些法则决定了生活世界的基本秩序，违背这些法则会导致混乱与灾祸。有人认为，天地与人事遵循着相通的法则，人事的法则来源于对天地之则的秉承或效法。也有学者认为，天地与人事有着各自不同的法则，互不影响。
It refers to rules and principles. The term denotes not only natural laws governing the movement of things in the universe, but also ethical principles that guide human life. These rules, laws, and principles establish the fundamental order in the world in which we live; and their violations will lead to turmoil and disaster. Some believe that the universe and human society are governed by the same rules and principles, with society inheriting or following the rules and laws of the universe. Others argue that the universe and human society follow separate and independent rules and laws.
引例 Citations：
◎天生烝民，有物有则。民之秉彝，好是懿德。（《诗经·大雅·烝民》）
上天降生众民，有事物就有法则。民众遵守普遍的法则，崇好这样的美德。
Heaven creates people, provides them with material necessities, and subjects them to rules. People obey universal rules and value virtues. (The Book of Songs)
◎天不变其常，地不易其则，春秋冬夏不更其节，古今一也。（《管子·形势》）
天不改变其常道，地不改变其法则，春夏秋冬不改变其节律，从古到今都是一致的。
Heaven does not alter its ways, earth does not alter its laws, and seasons do not alter their cycles. This has been how things are from antiquity to the present. (Guanzi)
推荐：教育部 国家语委
供稿：北京外国语大学 外语教学与研究出版社
责任编辑：钱耐安
