“德”之下移:西周铭文中的“德”

On “Virtue”in the Inscriptions of Bronze Wares in Western Zhou Dynasty

现存西周青铜器铭文中的周人之"德"经历了一个从天到王再到臣的"下移"过程。这个过程是一个有层级、以"礼"为外在形式的下移过程,为"德"内化为修身的功夫提供了契机。究其原因,"德"之下移既是基于西周确立、稳固政权的需要,也是区分贵族、庶民的政治策略。

＂Virtue ＂,as reflected in the existing inscriptions in the bronze wares in Western Zhou Dynasty,experienced the process of moving down from Heaven to the King then to courtiers. This is a process of moving down with many different tiers in the form of ritual,providing an opportunity for the internalization of virtue as a way of cultivating one ＇s moral character. The reason for the change is that it is required by establishing and stabilizing state power and also an important political strategy to differentiate aristocrats and commoners.