关于子夏的几个问题——与《中国教育通史》作者商榷

Comments on the Issues Concerning Confucius Student Zi Xia

子夏,晋国温邑人,作为孔门四科之“文学”高徒,在孔子晚年整理古文献时已是得力助手。在阐发孔子思想的同时,有所发挥和发展,在孔门深得上、下信赖。20岁即得到孔子的举荐,“为莒父宰”。孔子逝世后,经过“心战”,最终放弃从政,退居家乡设馆授徒,培养了大批杰出人才。参与主持编纂《论语》,整理并传授《六经》,被两汉经学家奉为经学鼻祖。不仅对荀子及其后的儒家经学一派产生了深远的影响,而且对法家、墨家、道家等其他战国各家也在某种程度上起到了催生或助长作用,是为战国时代百家争鸣局面的形成做了开拓、奠基性工作的一代文化巨人。

Zi Xia, one of Confucius best students in the field of 'literature', served as a capable assistant when Confucius sorted out ancient literature in his late years. For his outstanding elaboration of Confucius thought, Zi Xia enjoyed trust and favor of both his superiors and friends. At the age of 20, Zi Xia was recommended by Confucius to serve as an official. After Confucius passed away, Zi Xia decided to give up his political career and returned back to his hometown to set up a private school from which a large number of outstanding figures were cultivated. Zi Xia also took the lead in the compilation and teaching of 'The Analects' and 'The Six Classics' and was regarded as the originator of the Chinese classics. 'The Analects' and 'The Six Classics' have not only exerted far-reaching influences upon Xun Zi and the scholars of Confucius school, but also promoted the development of other schools such as Legalist school, Mohist school and Taoist school. Zi Xia can be considered as a great scholar who had played an pioneering and founding role for the situation of academic freedom in the Warring States Periods.