因革 Inheritance and Innovation
既有所繼承又有所創(chuàng)革。“因”是繼承、沿襲,“革”是革新、改變。這一思想可溯源到孔子。在孔子看來,夏商周三代禮制都是在前代基礎(chǔ)上根據(jù)當時的歷史條件有所損益的。所謂“損益”就蘊含了因革的觀念。漢代揚雄對“因革”作了比較系統(tǒng)的闡發(fā)。這一思想后來被南朝劉勰用于文論,進而衍生出“通變”概念?!耙蚋铩薄巴ㄗ儭斌w現(xiàn)的都是繼承與創(chuàng)新的對立統(tǒng)一,強調(diào)基于歷史與傳統(tǒng)的變化,在繼承前人經(jīng)驗、成果的基礎(chǔ)上進行創(chuàng)新,既不是泥古不化,也不是追新逐異。不僅是文藝創(chuàng)作,其他如學術(shù)發(fā)展及至國家治理,皆同此理。
This term highlights the relationship between inheritance and innovation. Yin implies inheritance or adoption, whereas ge means reform or innovation. The whole notion can be traced back to Confucius. In his view, the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties had all modified their respective codes of etiquette in accordance with their own circumstances and on the basis of a previous era's established rules. "Modified" here implies the idea of innovation grounded in inheritance. Yang Xiong of the Han Dynasty expounded this idea more systematically. This concept was later used by Liu Xie of the Southern Dynasties in literary criticism, giving rise to the notion of "continuity and change." All these ideas reflect a unity of opposites, stressing constant change in history and tradition, favoring innovation grounded in past experience and achievements, as well as avoiding either unquestioning adherence to convention or blind pursuit of novelty. Besides literary and artistic creation, the concept above is also applicable to academic research and even the governance of a country.
引例 Citations:
◎子曰:“殷因于夏禮,所損益,可知也;周因于殷禮,所損益,可知也。其或繼周者,雖百世可知也?!保ā墩撜Z·為政》)
孔子說:“殷商沿襲夏朝的禮儀制度,所廢除或所增加的,是可以知道的;周朝沿襲殷商的禮儀制度,所廢除或所增加的,也是可以知道的。那么,假定有繼承周朝而當政的人,就是以后一百代,也是可以預先知道的?!?/p>
Confucius said, "The Shang Dynasty inherited the Xia Dynasty's codes of etiquette with abridgements and additions, which can be known. The Zhou Dynasty followed the Shang's codes of etiquette with abridgements and additions, which can also be known. Therefore, if there should be a successor to the Zhou Dynasty, even a hundred generations from now, its codes of etiquette could be foretold." (The Analects)
◎夫道有因有循,有革有化。因而循之,與道神之;革而化之,與時宜之。故因而能革,天道乃得;革而能因,天道乃馴?!手蚨恢?,物失其則;知革而不知因,物失其均。(揚雄《太玄·玄瑩》)
道的運行法則既有繼承又有變革。只有懂得繼承,才能窮盡道的神奇;只有懂得變革,才能與當世合宜。所以懂得有繼承又有變革,才能領(lǐng)悟道的運行法則;懂得有變革又有繼承,道的運行法則才能為人所用。……所以只懂得繼承不懂得變革,就不能深刻把握萬物的普遍法則;只懂得變革不懂得繼承,就不能深刻把握萬物之間的平衡規(guī)律。
The operation of Dao involves inheritance and continuity, and innovation and change. Only through inheritance and continuity can we fully explore the mystery of Dao. Only through innovation and change can we meet the needs of our times. Thus, respecting tradition while pursuing innovation helps us understand the laws of Dao, and pursuing innovation while respecting tradition helps us apply the laws of Dao ... Therefore, if we overemphasize tradition to the neglect of innovation, we will fail to fully understand universal laws; if we focus on innovation at the expense of tradition, we will fail to master the rules of equilibrium. (Yang Xiong: Supreme Mystery)
◎古來辭人,異代接武,莫不參伍以相變,因革以為功。物色盡而情有余者,曉會通也。(劉勰《文心雕龍·物色》)
自古以來的文人作家,歷代前后相繼,無不靠著錯綜變化、有繼承又有革新而收到成效。景物有窮盡而情思寫不盡,就是因為他們懂得融會和變通。
Ever since ancient times, writers from generation to generation have made remarkable achievements, through inheritance, change, and innovation, in accordance with circumstances. Scenes have limits, but human feelings linger on due to our ability to integrate and accommodate. (Liu Xie: The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons)
推薦:教育部 國家語委
供稿:北京外國語大學 外語教學與研究出版社
責任編輯:錢耐安