“述而不作”与训诂的传承和创新

“Relating rather than Making” and the Inheritance & Innovation of Exegesis

"述而不作,信而好古"是孔子一生治学为文的重要理念和行为准则。历来注家皆以孔子治学只述不作,却又极力为其回护,以为"其事虽述,而功则倍于作矣"。遍览《论语》全书,通观孔子终生进德修业的言论行事,其所谓"述而不作"之"作",乃"诈"字之假,即他所极力反对的"不知而作"的"虚假妄作"。"述而不作,信而好古"是尊重历史、观照现实,温故知新、不妄作解人的重要命题;是学为人师、实事求是作风的具象表述;同时为一切训诂之根本大法,并铸就了中国经典文献诠释的基本范式。

One of Confucius’ important conceptions and scholarship is“relating rather than making, believing and loving what is ancient”. This defect was shielded by the scholars of past ages by stating that“Though he pursued relating rather than making, his achievements in relating were much greater than those of making”. By reading Analectsand studying his words and deeds throughout his life, the author finds that “making”actually was used interchangeably with “pretending”in Chinese characters. That is to say what he opposed to the uttermost was“false and unfounded making”, i.e.,“making without knowing”. The doctrine of“relating rather than making, believing and loving what is ancient”requires that one should respect history and reality, learn the new by restudying the old, and never pose oneself as an expert in exegesis. It is also an embodiment of such styles as learning to be instructors and seeking truth from facts. It becomes the fundamental law of exegesis, and forms the basic annotating paradigm of Chinese classics.