质直好义:子贡之“达”的多重精神内涵

Justice and Righteousness:Essences of Zigong s“Flexibility”

子贡作为孔门十哲之一,为人温和谦虚,善于外交和货殖,通于情而达于理。孔子不仅认为子贡是“瑚琏之器”,而且对他的评价是“达”。通过对《论语》和其他文献中有关子贡的记载可以看出,子贡之“达”以“质直好义”为本,其精神面向可以概括为4个方面,即通达时局之变、通达言谈之巧、通达鬻财之机、通达师道之情。正是基于这样一个在道德学问、货殖鬻财、政治外交、尊师重道等方面从容务实而又全面发展之人,孔子才给出了“赐也达,于从政乎何有”的评价。

Zigong was one of the wisest students of Confucius.It was recorded that he was gentle and humble,and knew how to communicate and trade.Besides,he was a man of sense.Confucius regarded him as“a man for all seasons”,and“flexible”as his virtue.Based on Analects of Confucius and other related documents,the paper argues that Zigong s flexibility is a reflection of his righteousness as a fundamental principle.His spiritual essences could be summarized into four aspects:ready to cope with any contingency,linguistically gifted and eloquent,good at trading,and excellent in teaching practice.With regard to Zigong s achievements in morality and knowledge,business and trade,decrees and governance,and his honoring teachers and respecting rules,Confucius made the comments that“he(Zigong)not only has a good command of the basic rules that govern things,but also knows how to deal with exceptional situations or problems in a flexible manner.I don t think it s difficult for him to handle governance”.