A Person Who Leads a Moral and Righteous Life Commands Respect Even If He Is a Humble Peddler
符合道义就应当受到尊重,即便他是小商贩。犹言在道义面前人人平等。“道义”即道德、正义;“负贩”即挑着担子做买卖的小商贩。人是否可尊敬,不应以身份地位论,而应以内在品格论,即以道义为根本依据——言行符合道义则可尊敬,言行不合道义则不可尊敬。此言生动展现了中华民族崇尚道义的精神。
This concept is tantamount to saying that everyone is equal before morality and righteousness. The term fufan (负贩) refers to a small trader who carries a toting pole to do business. Whether a person commands respect or not should not be based on status, but on intrinsic character, i.e., morality and righteousness. Those whose words and deeds are moral and righteous command respect. Otherwise, they do not. This concept vividly demonstrates the spirit of the Chinese people who advocate morality and righteousness.
引例 Citations:
◎天下无生而贵者。是故道义可尊,无择负贩。(杜佑《通典·选举四·杂议论上》)
天下没有生下来就尊贵的人。所以,符合道义就应当受到尊重,即便他是小商贩。
There is no one under heaven who is born with honor. Therefore, one commands respect so long as he leads a moral and righteous life, even if he is a humble peddler. (Du You: An Encyclopedic History of Institutions)
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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