从“圣人吾不得见之矣”到“圣人之所以同于众”——先秦儒家圣人形象及其平民化趋势

From "Sages Beyond Others" to "Sages Being the Same with Others" and Its Civilian Trends of Confucius in the Pre-Qin Dynasty

儒家自开创以来一直在寻找一条成圣的道路,其德行、智慧、治国理想都围绕着内圣外王的方向展开。先秦儒家的圣人有着接通天人的智慧、人伦完备的德行及以德治世的地位,他们是政治、文化、制度的至高者。但先秦儒家的三位主要代表人物的成圣之路却有所不同,孔子生而知之、孟子困而知之、荀子学而知之。三者的成圣之路体现了其对圣人所理解的角度不同,也体现了社会需要的不同,更加体现出了圣人开始由圣神的个体向平民化的个体发生转向。在这种转变内,我们审视着其转变的根基、目标及意义,以期证实这种平民化的趋向是正确而又合理的。

Confucians have been seeking the way to be saints from the time since Confucianism was born. Their virtual, wisdom and state - administrating ideal are all around their being inner - sages and outer - kings. Sages in the Pre - Qin Dynasty have three characteristics： the wisdom of connecting the heaven with people, the virtue of satisfactory moral integrity, and the position of governing people by autonomy. They were the top ones in the field of politics, culture and regime. But there are some differences between the three. Confucius knew when he was born; Mencius knew when plight occurred; Xun Zi Knew when he studied. The way of being a sage reflects their different understanding views. It also illustrates the difference in social need. It even expresses the veer of the sage from individual holy to a single man. Only under this turning, can we scan the foundation, goal and significance, so that we can prove these trends are proper and reasonable.