圣王 Sage King
具有圣德的君王。具备圣德之人,即“圣人”,能够基于对天道、人心的把握,制定、规范人伦生活的秩序与法则,其所言所行成为人伦世界的至高典范。如果君王能够具备此种圣德,即被尊为“圣王”。在儒家的观念中,“圣人”居于王位是最理想的政治状态。但自孔子以降,儒家所认可的“圣人”往往不得君王之位。
A king of great virtue, namely, a sage, by observing the way of heaven and based on his understanding of human nature, establishes social norms and laws to regulate public lives. What he says and does are thus the model for all to follow. If a king possesses such great virtue, he is called a sage king. According to Confucianism, if a sage becomes the king, he would create an ideal state of governance. However, those that Confucian scholars considered as sages never had the opportunity to become kings after Confucius' time.
引例 Citations:
◎辨莫大于分,分莫大于礼,礼莫大于圣王。(《荀子·非相》)
分辨事物最重要的莫过于确定名分,确定名分最重要的莫过于制定礼仪,制定礼仪最重要的莫过于效法圣王。
Determining social status is most important when it comes to distinguishing between things; establishing rites is most important for determining social status; and following sage kings is most important in establishing rites. (Xunzi)
◎故圣王修义之柄、礼之序,以治人情。(《礼记·礼运》)
因此圣王确立义的根本原则、礼的秩序,用来治理人的情感活动。
Therefore a sage king establishes the fundamental principles of justice and the order of rites to regulate human feelings. (The Book of Rites)
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