刘知幾论叙事与信史

Liu Zhiji's Discussion on Narrative and Trust in History

刘知幾认为,叙事之美须以反映历史真实为指归,文质相称的叙事风格能准确地反映历史实际,华而不实的文风则有碍于历史撰述之如实传真。史家撰述应尚简、用晦,力戒妄饰,以便在展现国史之美的同时彰显历史之真。这是从信史的角度讨论历史叙事问题。这种认识将古代史学的叙事理论发展到了一个新阶段,也为当代史学研究者在后现代主义历史叙事学的笼罩之下,深入理解与研究历史叙事的特性提供了思想资源。

Liu Zhiji believe the beauty of narrative lies in its reflection of historical truth. In order to reveal historical truth and display the beauty of national history,historians＇ writing should pursue simpleness and use obscure words to avoid presumptuous decorations. Such a view has greatly developed the narrative theory of ancient historiography,and has offered ideological resources to contemporary history researchers for their further study of characteristics of historical narrative under the influence of postmodern historical narrative.