《黄帝四经》所见“节”“度”之道

The Doctrine of “Temperance” and “Measurement” in The Four Classics of Huangdi

如果说"法天则地"是黄帝行为的准则,"节""度"之道就是黄帝行为的方法。《黄帝四经》很大程度上是一部讨论"节""度"之道的书。过去,作为客观法度和刚性标准的"节""度"较受重视,而主观意义上的、作为柔性原则的"节""度"还较少引起关注。确定的、不变的、成文的"节""度"固然是"法",微妙的、灵活的、弹性的"节""度"同样是一种"法",黄帝之道正由此体现。平衡并不表现为绝对均衡,有时适当地偏向其中一方是处理矛盾关系最好的方式。对于灵活性原则的追求,是中国古代思想的一大特色。

If Huangdi＇s standard of behavior can be described as following the natural laws, his behavioral approach is exactly the doctrine of ＂temperance＂ and ＂measurement＂. To a great extent, The Four Classics of Huangdi is a book focusing on the doctrine of ＂temperance＂ and ＂measurement＂. In the past, ＂temperance＂ and ＂measurement＂ were highly valued when they were considered as the objective law and the inelastic standard. However, its subjective and flexible principle had not catched people~ s enough attention. Certain, fixed and written ＂temperance＂ and ＂measurement＂ are definitely following the nature. Meanwhile, delicate and flexible ＂temperance＂ and ＂measurement＂ are following th~ nature as well. Here＇s exactly where the doctrine of Huangdi can be reflected. Equilibrium is not equal to absolute equalization. Sometimes, taking sides properly becomes the best way to handle the contradiction. One of the distinctive characteristics of ancient Chinese thoughts is the pursuit of flexible principle.