试论唐太宗的“诚信”思想

A Discussion of LI Shi-min's Thought of Sincerity and Faithfulness

唐朝“贞观之治”的出现 ,尽管原因是多方面的 ,但与唐太宗的“诚信”思想及其实践也有一定的关系。在他看来 ,“诚信”的功能和作用主要体现在如下几个方面 :1.“诚信”是夺取政权和巩固政权的前提 ;2 .“诚信”是“广德”的重要方式 ;3.“以诚信为治” ;4 .“诚信”胜过十万雄师 ;5 .“诚信”能够约束战争 ;6 .“诚信”能够调解民族矛盾 ;7.“法”为“大信”。在具体实践中 ,唐太宗特别强调和重视以“诚信”对待天下 ,以“诚信”对待群臣 ,以“诚信”对待边疆少数民族 ,以“诚信”对待百姓 ,甚至以“诚信”对待自己的仇敌。唐太宗的“诚信”思想 ,无论对当时还是后世都产生了一定的影响 :一方面 ,在贞观年间形成了弘扬诚信和实践诚信的浓厚氛围 ,一批重要大臣和武将 ,或对诚信问题进行过比较系统的论述 ,或在自己的权限范围内努力践履“诚信”思想 ,取得了显著成效 ;另一方面 ,贞观之后尤其是唐后期的君臣以及边疆少数民族首领关于“诚信”问题的言论 ,都明显带有唐太宗“诚信”思想的印迹。当然 ,在处理有关问题上 ,唐太宗也常有失信行为 ,而且也总是为自己的失信行为加以辩解。

Though there were various causes for the emergence of 'Zhenguan Administration' in the Tang Dynasty,the promotion of LI Shi min,the then emperor,was one of the important factors. LI Shi min's thought of sincerity and faithfulness exercised considerable influences over the society and the consequent times.On the one hand,a strong social atmosphere of sincerity and faithfulness were emerging during the years of Zhenguan. On the other hand,the promotions about sincerity and faithfulness of the emperors and officials of later period of the Tang Dynasty all stamped with LI Shi min's influences. Of course,in dealing with some important problems,Li Shi min sometimes showed his insincerity and broke his promises and at the same time tried to justify his practices of insincerity.