林语堂与道家文化精神

Lin Yutang and the Spirit of Taoist Culture

对于道家文化,许多中国现代作家采取的是忽略、否定、批判和贬斥的态度,林语堂可能是少有的例外。他纵其一生投入了大量时间和精力研讨和翻译道家经典,在其著述中随处可见道家语句,他对道家有着强烈的崇拜之情。林语堂深受道家文化精神的熏染,这包括归于自然和天地大道、柔弱的女性美学、保守主义的价值取向、浪漫优雅的文体风格等方面。当然,林语堂对于道家文化并非一味肯定,而是进行了辩证的理解和现代性的超越。

Although many modern Chinese writers have adopted an attitude of neglect, negation, criticism and disparagement towards Taoist culture, Lin Yutang is presumably a rare exception, for he has devoted much time and energy to the study and translation of Taoist scriptures all his life and has cherished a strong admiration for Taoism, as such his works are imbued with Taoist excerpts. The profound impact on LinYutang of Taoist cultural spirit is evident in his return to nature, his view on the relation between the earth and the heaven, the fragile female aesthetics, his conservative value orientation and his style of romantic and elegant flavor, etc. As for Taoist culture, Lin Yutang has surely approached it dialectically and ascended above it instead of totally affirming it.