《论语·泰伯》“绞”字解诂

An Interpretation of the Word “Jiao(绞)” in Book Eight of TheAnalects of Confucius

《论语·泰伯》第二句:“子曰‘恭而无礼则劳,慎而无礼则葸,勇而无礼则乱,直而无礼则绞’。”对于其中的“绞”字,自古以来就存在多种解释,最主要有两种说法:一种认为“绞”应训为“急”,作“急忙、急切”解;另一种认为“绞”应训为“刺”,有“尖刻刺人,伤人”义。本文在此二说基础上,进一步依据甲骨金文和传世文献对“绞”字的本义与引申义进行了考证,又从孔子的“礼”观出发作了详细的解诂,最终认为训为“刺”更符合孔子的原意。

In The Analects of Confucius, the Master said,“Respectfulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes laborious bustle;carefulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes timidity;boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination;straightforwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.” There have been two explanations for the word “jiao(绞)” since ancient times. One is that it should be interpreted as “hurry”, bearing the meaning of “hurried and urgent”;the other is that it should be interpreted as “thorn”, bearing the meaning of “piercing and hurting”. On the basis of these two theories, this paper conductsa textual research on the original meaning and extended meaning of the word “jiao(绞)” according to the inscriptions on oracle bones and the handed-down documents, and makes a detailed explanation from Confucius’“ritual” view. Finally, it is concluded that the interpretation of “thorn” is more in line with Confucius’ original intention.