唐宋制科盛衰及其历史教训

On the Rise and Fall of the Occasional Imperial Examination in the Tang and Song Dynasties and its Historical Lessons

唐朝设立制科,科名繁多,以招揽"非常之才",曾极盛一代。宋朝也置制科,却时置时罢,科名很少,又增加进卷、阁试,阁试所考"六论"专在记诵,而考题又刁钻古怪,故意"艰难其选",在制度上变尽唐旧,结果极衰,至南宋已名存实亡。盛衰之间,有着极为丰富而深刻的历史教训。

The Occasional Imperial Examination was set up in the Tang Dynasty with various titles,for the purpose of attracting＂the very talented＂.It was prosperous for a time.In the Song Dynasty,the Occasional Imperial Examination was also set up,but with very few titles,and exams didn＇t take place regularly.Besides,＂Paper Presentation＂and ＂Court Trial＂were added.In the Court Trial,＂Six Arguments＂were tested,aiming at their recitation.The exam questions were cunning,eccentric,and deliberately  tough in their selection＂.In the Court Trial system,they got rid of the tradition of the Tang Dynasty.But it declined at last and existed in name only in the South Song Dynasty.From the rise and fall of the Occasional Imperial Examination,we can learn abundant and profound historical lessons.