汉新禅代中的刘歆

Liu Xin in the Time of Transition from Western Han to Eastern Han

刘歆为西汉王朝宗室 ,又为王莽新朝功臣 ,是学术造诣高深的经学家 ,又是将儒家理想制度付诸实践的改革家。汉新之际名儒贤达党附王莽者甚众 ,刘歆不幸被过多地关注和指责 ,应与此多重身份有关。其与父刘向在政治上非真正对立 ,二人的基本倾向应是一致的 ;其与王莽之关系 ,于汉新禅代之作用 ,于王莽改制之影响 ,也远不像传统认识的那样密切、那样重要、那样深广。用“不忠”、“不孝”指责他有失公道。

Liu Xin was a member of the royal family in Western Han, and an important official in Wang Mang's new court. He was both a great scholar and a reformer. People who were discontented with the rule of Western Han had focused their hope on Wang Mang and Liu Xin. Liu Xin was disappointed with Wang Mang and rebelled against him, and as a result was labeled'traitor to both old and new regime'.Actually he was not so important as some scholars have resumed, and the censures piled on him are not reasonable.