试论老子思想中的圣人之道

On the Tao of Sages in Laozi's Thoughts

道是老子思想中的最高原则,是不可形、不可名的形上本体。圣人则是道在现实世界的落实与体现,也是老子思想中的理想人格。因此老子思想中的圣人之道与作为本体的形上之道是相一致的。在知识层面,圣人体道。圣人通过理性直观去把握形上之道;在实践层面,圣人行道。圣人以道法自然为原则,做到无为、不争、无私;在修养层面,圣人修道。圣人能够自觉地以道的要求修身,做到寡欲、知足,最终实现向道的复归。这三者,统一于圣人之道,构成了完整的圣人人格。

Tao is the highest principle in Laozi＇s thoughts. It is the intangible and indescribable metaphysical thing-in-itself. And sages are the implementation and realization of Tao in the real world. They have the ideal personality in his thoughts. Therefore, the Tao of sages in his thoughts is in accordance with the metaphysical one as the thing-in-itself. On the knowledge level, sages have learned Tao from their experience. They understand the metaphysical Tao from the rationality and perceptual intuition. On practical level, sages practice Tao. Sages stick to the principle of Tao following nature and achieve inaction, nothing-pursuing and selflessness. On the cultivation level, sages cultivate themselves in Tao. They improve themselves according to moral, and have few desires and stop at anything and finally will return to Tao. These three aspects are unified in the Tao of sages and contribute to their complete personality.