明末清初的唐宋文之辨

The Disputes on Tang and Song Prose in Late Ming and Early Qing Period

明末清初关于唐、宋文差异及地位的讨论,深刻影响了古文演进历程。启祯时期流行宗唐观念,既推崇以韩愈、柳宗元为代表的唐代古文革新,又不排斥唐代骈文创作。其中,秦汉派后裔基于对骈文的肯定,在师法秦汉的统序中特意兼采韩、柳,强调唐代古文对六朝文的延续。清初兴起宗宋思潮,主张宋文的正统地位,奉欧阳修为最高典范。经由钱谦益、艾南英、朱彝尊等古文家倡导,及清中叶桐城派的继承,“宗宋”成为清代古文的主流风气。与此同时,又有针对宋文繁冗无当、诋诃先儒、不讲考据或浅薄平庸等缺陷的批评,而宗唐观念始终不绝如缕,对宗宋观念起着补弊救偏的积极作用,推动着古文创作的良性演化。

The discussion on the differences and status between Tang and song prose in late Ming and early Qing dynasties profoundly shaped the evolution of ancient prose.During the late Ming period,the concept of“adoring Tang prose”was significant popular,which praised the renovation of ancient prose represented by Han Yu and Liu Zong-yuan,but did not depreciate the creation of parallel essay in the Tang dynasty.Based on the affirmation of parallel essay,the descendants of the Qin-Han school specially followed Han Yu and Liu Zong-yuan,emphasizing the ancient prose of the Tang dynasty as the continuation of the Six Dynasties.In the early Qing dynasty,there was a trend of thought that advocated the orthodox status of Song prose and worshiped Ou-yang Xiu as the highest example.Through the advocacy of Qian Qian-yi,Ai Nan-ying,Zhu Yi-zun and other essayists,and the inheritance of Tongcheng School,“adoring Song prose”became the mainstream concept of prose in the middle of Qing dynasty.There were also criticisms against the defects of the Song prose,such as being redundant,slandering the former Confucian scholars(before the Tang dynasty),lack of attention to textual research,or being shallow and mediocre,and so on,continuing the trends of“adoring Tang prose”in the Qing dynasty,which played a positive role in compensating the shortcomings and saving the deviation of the concept of“adoring Song prose”,and in promoting the benign evolution of ancient prose creation.