《孟子》“七十者可以食肉”的社会史诠释

A Socio-historical Interpretation of the Mencius IA:3

如果将孟子所说的“七十者可以食肉”(《梁惠王上》)一语,放在中国古代社会史与饮食史的脉络中加以考察的话,那么,探讨显示“七十”之龄是中国古代人的生命历程中从公务退休告老的阶段。古人年届七十就受到尊养,但古人也强调年龄必须与个人精神修养与时俱进,所以孔子以“七十而从心所欲,不逾矩”为人生最高境界。古代中国社会一般庶人生活资源有限,平日以疏果佐食,只有在祭祀或庆典时,才得食肉,因此,孟子认为“七十者可以食肉”,就是“王道”政治的理想目标了。

This article discusses the historical background against which Mencius said 'those who are seventy can eat meat' in the Mencius IA :3. It insists that the age of seventy is the time for one to retire from working in the public realm. In ancient China, those who were seventy enjoyed respectability. Moreover, emphasis has also been placed on the spiritual transformation and pilgrimage in sync with the increase of one's age. In reflecting on his own spiritual pilgrimage, Confucius (551-479 B. C. ) said, 'at seventy I followed my heart's desire without overstepping the line. ' (The Analects, 11:4). Mencius was in line with Confucius in stressing that the age of seventy represented the highest stage of one' s spiritual life. In contextualizing Mencius' words in social history of ancient China, this paper argues that the common folks eat vegetables and fruits in daily life. Only in the days of religious activities or ceremonies, might people enjoy meat. This is the reason why Mencius took that ' those who are seventy can eat meat' as a goal of the government of a true King.