《管子》论阴阳

A Review of Yin and Yang as Commented in Guanzi

殷商时已出现阴阳思想,战国时期,阴阳与五行合流。《管子》论阴阳的内容较多,就其基本涵义来说,认为山之南为阳,山之北为阴;阳光照射到的地方为阳,照射不到的地方为阴;天为阳,地为阴;珠为阳,玉为阴;春夏为阳,秋冬为阴。从哲学意义来说,阴阳生万物;阴阳分别代表刑罚与德行,需要调和;君臣之间交往要符合阴阳之道,个人做事也要符合阴阳之道。阴阳平衡之道用在治理国家的时候,能够成为为政成功之术;在与其他诸侯国的交往中,阴阳之道也是重要法宝。

Thoughts on Yin and Yang appeared as early as in Yin Dynasty.During the Warring States Period,Yin-yang and the doctrine of Five-elements joined hands.Comments on Yin and Yang are abundant in Guanzi,and the main concepts are thus expressed:the south of the mountain is Yang and the north of it is Yin;the place where the sunshine reaches is Yang,and the place where the sunshine cannot reach is Yin;the sky is Yang,and the land is Yin;pearl is Yang,and jade is Yin;seasons like spring and summer are Yang,while autumn and winter are Yin.Philosophically speaking,Yin and Yang are found in almost everything,with Yin representing punishment and Yang virtue,which needs reconciliation.The interaction between monarchs and ministers must conform to the Yin and Yang,and so do the individual's actions.The way of balancing Yin and Yang,when applied to governing a country,can be a successful technique;it is also true of the interaction with other States.