“上善若水”与“南方之强”——试辨越文化的水性禀赋

On the Innate Qualities of Yue Culture

存在决定意识,一定的文化总是产生于具体的物质环境和历史条件,因而不同的这种环境和条件,其所孕育的精神,自然会各有特色。中国地理南北差异很大,风俗也因而不同,由此而凝集的精神也就有了迥异的风格,早在孔子时就有了"南方之强"与"北方之强"的区分。所谓"南方之强",意指南方水文化所结晶的"上善若水"观念,这一理念赋予了越文化弘毅、坚韧、厚德载物的鲜明品格。

Different parts of the country with different environments and living conditions have different regional value sand customs. ＂The strength of the South＂ as proposed by Confucius is also embodied in Laozi＇ s notion ＂flexibility as a sublime virtue＂. The present paper, drawing on the two ancient Chinese philosophical concepts, interprets the innate qualities of the Yue people and their culture as perseverance, tenacity, pursuit of a high morality and harmony between man and nature.