评司马光、欧阳修论冯道

On Sima Guang and Oyang Xiu′s Remarks about Feng Dao

五代时人冯道历仕五朝八帝 ,且位不离将相、三公三师。欧阳修、司马光以“正女不从二夫 ,忠臣不侍二君”为由 ,指斥其为“无廉耻”的“奸臣”。二人的看法有失客观公正。对处于五代这一特殊历史时期的人物不能简单地以侍奉了几个皇帝来定其忠奸 ,而应看其言行是否有益于百姓。

Feng Dao, living in Five Dynasties in the Chinese history, had served for eight emperors of the Five Dynasties as premier or minister. Oyang Xiu and Sima Guang condemned him as ' a treacherous court official' 'having no sense of shame' for they thought that ' a woman of virtue should not get married to two men and an official with loyalty should not serve two emperors'. This opinion is not all objective and fair. We cannot simply say whether a figure like Feng Dao in Five Dynasties was loyal or treacherous just because he had served several emperors. Instead, we should take into consideration whether his behavior had brought benefits to the people and the country.