先秦诸子以水说理趣论

On Pre-Qin scholars' expounding theory with water image

先秦诸子颇爱以水说理,从而让人目睹形象之水以感悟抽象之理。在领悟自然之道时,道家先圣教人识水悟道;在提出治政方略时,法、道、墨、儒诸家均喜取水之形态来发明卓见;在阐述排兵布阵策略时,兵圣孙子则用水势与水形讲解用兵之法;在阐明道德修养准则时,法、道、儒、墨诸家多借水之性以论说修养法则;在阐发进取之道时,儒、道诸贤善于以水为喻,劝人珍惜光阴、努力进取。

The Pre-Qin scholars tend to expound theory with water,so that the people could understand some abstract principles through the image of water. When expounding the natural laws,Taoists guide people to comprehend the truth with water; When advancing political strategy,the scholars from Legalism,Taoism,Mohism and Confucianism like to elucidate insights with water＇s form; In explaining war tactics,Sunzi explains the war-crafts with the potential and shape of water; In illustrating the moral principles,the scholars explain moral laws according to the attribute of water; In advocating aggressiveness,both Confucian and Taoist sages advise people to cherish time and make progress in life with the help of water.