由“水”喻“仁”:孔子观“水”探赜——兼论与老子论水的分殊及其内在理路

On Confucius’Idea of Water and Its Differences From Lao Zi’s Philosophy

孔子观水,在于以水隐喻仁德,一方面展现了他对生生不息之仁体的追求与个体内在德性的推扩,另一方面展现了孔子“志于仁”的天下归仁的仁民情怀。老子观水,实则是以水喻道,一方面展现了他通过水之自性把握道体及其特性,另一方面展现了道之用在为政层面、修养层面和处世层面的运化。孔老观水之分殊,就其内在理路而言,分为两种进路:孔子见诸德行的德性进路与老子根植于“自然”的道性进路;两种维度:孔子的“有为”精进之维度与“无为”自性之维度。从观察维度的分殊而言:老子看到水的静态、无为、自然,水之不争;孔子看到水的动态、有为、精进,水之不息。从境界分殊而言:老子旨在复归于道,孔子旨在天下归仁。

Water for Confucius is a metaphor of benevolence and virtue,which,on the one hand,shows his pursuit of everlasting benevolent object and his expansion of individual inner virtue,on the other hand,represents his aspiration of universal benevolence.In contrast,Lao Zi’s water is a metaphor for Tao,which shows his grasp of Tao and its characteristics,and at the same time displays the effect of Tao on politics,cultivation and life conduct.In their understanding of water,Confucius takes the perspective of virtue and Lao Zi,the perspective of nature;Confucius highlights the dimension of action and Lao Zi,the dimension of inaction.Lao Zi sees water as static,passive,natural and not competitive,while Confucius sees water as dynamic,active,advancing,and unceasing.Lao Zi intends to return to Tao,while Confucius aspires for a universal benevolence.