孔子的孝道思想与《论语》“丧,与其易也,宁戚”的理解

Confucius Concept of Filial Piety and Interpretation of “Funeral,Being Earnest Rather Than Simple and Sloppy” in The Analects of Confucius

《论语·八佾》中的"林放问礼之本。子曰:‘大哉问!礼,与其奢也,宁俭;丧,与其易也,宁戚’"一章中的后半句"丧,与其易也,宁戚"的理解至今没有形成一致的看法,其中,特别涉及句中"易"字的理解。把本章内容放在孔子的整个孝道思想背景中,以"简率、轻慢"义项理解此章中的"易"字,就能对全章的意思给出合理的阐释,即针对丧礼,孔子委婉地主张在形式上还是郑重其事一点为好。

In chapter 4 of The Analects of Confucius,Lin Fang wanted to know the nature of ceremonies.Confucius replied,“For etiquette,it is better to be sparing than extravagant.As for funeral,it is better to be earnest rather than simple and sloppy”.Up to now,people do not have the same opinion of the latter statement“for funeral,it is better to be earnest rather than simple and sloppy”,in particular the understanding of the Chinese character“Yi”.In view of the context of Confucius'filial piety,to understand“Yi”as being simple and sloppy may provide a reasonable explanation of the whole chapter.In other words,Confucius tactfully observed that for funerals,it would be better to be solemn and earnest rather than simple and sloppy.