“内圣外王”思想的源流及发展历程探析

The Origin of the Idea of "Saint and Emperor" and Its Development

"内圣外王"是中国传统伦理思想中的一种理想人格,产生和形成于先秦时期,有着现实的社会政治背景。孔子是内圣外王思想的奠基者,孟子与荀子继承和发展了这一思想,孟子强调在仁且智的内在道德修养方面铸造"圣人"理想人格,而荀子则强调"圣人"理想人格的外在的社会事功。继先秦之后,内圣外王思想在以后的历史中得到了继承和发展,这大致可以分为四个时期,即汉唐、宋元明清、近代和现代。

＂ Saint and emperor＂ is an ideal in Chinese traditional ethical system. It began and developed in Pre-Qin Period based on realistic social and political background. Confucius is the founder of this idea and Mengzi and Xunzi developed this idea. Mengzi adds kindness and wisdom in the personality of saint while Xunzi focused more on the social competence. Since Pre-Qin, the idea developed four stages including Han and Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing,and latter day and modern times.