博学奇才 实诚贤士——杨升庵人生瞻念

A Biography of Yang Shen: A Frank and Capable Erudite

杨慎堪称百科全书式的鸿儒,家学深厚,务实勤奋,性情率真,品格方正。其仕途不顺,因其性情之耿介忠贞;其怜民扶弱,实为心存以民为本,亲民惠民,敬民爱民;其胸怀宽广乐观豁达,虽身处逆境亦能从容自如。杨慎坚守儒家的修齐观念,却又超越了一般儒者独善其身的认识。他坚持重义轻利,面对叛乱,先人后己、挺身而前,杨慎情真意挚,为完成父亲遗愿,勤勉编撰;虽然夫妻分离,情如磐石。他勇于抨击明朝选人用人和科举考试的弊端,勇气不凡。杨慎一生历尽沧桑,笃守方位,故备受尊崇。

Yang Shen, an encyclopedic erudite, grew up in a family of scholars, which endowed him with pragmatic and diligent style of acting, frank temperament and upright personality. Due to his disposition of being honest and loyal, he met with all kinds of obstacles in his official career. Due to his belief of people being the society’s foundation, he showed his pity for the people and offered his help to those vulnerable ones in need, endearing himself to the people, contributing benefits to the people and showing respect and love to the people. Due to his mentality of being broadminded and optimistic, he remained in ease and calmness even though he was in adversity. Yang Shen stuck to the Confucian concept of cultivating moral character and putting family affairs in order, yet surpassed ordinary Confucians’ cognition in being righteous alone in a community with a generally low morality. He adhered to the idea that justice outweighed benefit, while facing rebellions, he thought about others before himself and faced the troubles directly. With caution and sincerity, he strenuously compiled to accomplish his father’s last wish. Although Yang Shen and his wife were separated from each other, their love remained as solid as a rock. With extraordinary courage, he attacked the faults of the Ming Dynasty’s talent selection and appointment system as well as imperial competitive examination. Yang Shen had experienced many vicissitudes throughout his life but still abided by morality, so he was highly venerated.