“内圣”与“外王”——孟子与荀子合论

Inside-sage and Outside-king:On Mencius and Xuncius

孟子主张性善,强调"反求诸己"的道德自律,追求"浩然之气"的道德境界,更多地体现为"内圣"的路向;荀子则主张性恶,强调礼法对社会的重要作用,重视"裕民强兵"以及大一统的"王霸"之气,更多地体现为"外王"的路向。

Mencius advocat “human nature is good”, stresses the moral self-discipline of “seeking the cause in oneself instead of somebody else”, and pursues the moral state of “noble spirit”. He puts more emphasis on “inside-sage”. Xuncius advocates “human nature is bad”, emphasizes the importance of ceremony and law to society, values “enriching the people and making the army strong”, and respects “the king spirit ofunification”. So his thoughts embody more features of “outside-king”.