“直书”与“曲笔”——《史记》艺术中的一体两翼

"Direct Record" and "Indirect Record"——the Art of Integration in "Records of the Historian"

实录是史学的最高境界,是所有正直的史学家所恪守的准则和追求的目标。直书就是实现这一目标的重要手段,但却不是唯一的手段。在处于“不可为之时”,又要达到“贤贤贱不肖”的目的,曲笔就成了必要的选择。倘若直书需要的是不畏强权的勇气,而以曲笔实现“不虚美,不隐恶”,就不仅需要勇气,而且还需要智慧。曲笔的使用,亦使得人物形象复杂丰满。直书与曲笔相辅相成,形成《史记》艺术中的一体两翼的紧密关系。

Writing the history is the topest state. It is the rule all the guileless historians how to aim their pursue. Direct record is an important means to realize that aim but not the only. When they are not allowed to do so for some reason, indirect record （describe hazily ）is the other necessary alternative. They need courage as well as wisdom to commend justice and criticize the contrary. Direct record and indirect record are complementary to each other in the art of ＂Records of the Historian＂.