“民贵君轻”与“立君为民”:孟子、荀子的君民论

"The people are more important than the monarch"and"establishing the monarch for the people":Mencius and Xunzi's theories on the ruler and the people

《尚书》“作民父母”的观点对荀子影响很大;“以民为本”的思想对孟子影响很大;惠民、安民的思想对孔子的影响尤其深刻。荀子“为民”观念的普遍化就是一切为了人民,具有超越时代的政治意义,其“畏民说”重视人民可能具有的颠覆政治的力量,是对统治阶级的一种警惕和警告。在一些语句和思想表述上,荀子与孟子有相通之处,荀子思想一定程度上受到孟子的影响。荀子讲“为民”“爱民”的同时也强调“尊君”,采取了儒法合一的结构和提法,这是荀子跟孟子的重要不同,反映了战国后期法家理念对社会越来越大的影响。荀子思想具有功利主义、现实主义、综合性等特征,除法家外,墨家“节用”“兼利”主张对他也有影响。孟子“民贵君轻”的观念不仅超越了《尚书》的政治观,也超越了孔子和在他以前的先秦思想家,达到了真正的民本主义政治观。“民为贵”是孟子政治观的代表,“与民同乐”则是孟子政治观的核心。孟子把“得其民”归到“得其心”,这成为中国古代政治思想的代表性总结。

The viewpoint of"being the parents of the people"in the Book of Documents has a great influence on Xunzi,the thought of"people-oriented"has a great influence on Mencius,and the idea of benefiting and pacifying the people has a particularly profound impact on Confucius.The universalization of Xunzi's concept of"serving the people"means that everything is for the people and has political significance that transcends the times.Its'fear of the people'theory emphasizes the potential power of the people to resist political subversion,which is a warning and caution against the ruling class.In some phrases and ideological expressions,Xunzi and Mencius have similarities,and Xunzi's thoughts are influenced by Mencius to a certain extent.While Xunzi talks about for the people"and"loving the people,"he also emphasizes"respecting the monarch,"adopting a structure and approach that integrates Confucianism and Legalism,which is a significant difference from Mencius and reflects the growing influence of Legalism in the late Warring States period.Xunzi's thoughts are characterized by utilitarianism,realism,and comprehensiveness.In addition to Legalism,Mohism's advocacy of"frugality"and"universal benefit"also has an impact on him.Mencius'concept of"the people are more important than the monarch"not only transcends the political view of the Book of Documents,but also surpasses Confucius and the pre-Qin thinkers before him,achieving a truly people-oriented political view."The people are precious"represents Mencius'political view,and"sharing pleasure with the people"is the core of his political philosophy.Mencius attributes"getting the people"to"getting their hearts,"which has become a representative summary of ancient Chinese political thought.