Think of Righteousness in the Face of Gain
在面對利益之時,首先思考、分辨利益的獲取是否符合道義。是儒家用以處理義利關系的準則。對利益的追求與對道義的堅守之間常存在沖突。人們往往會因為貪圖私利而忽視道義,行背德違法之事。針對這種情況,孔子提出了“見利思義”的主張,倡導人們應該在道義的原則之下謀求利益。知曉道義的是君子,一味追求利益的是小人。
When faced with gain one should first consider and distinguish whether the obtainment of gain is in accord with morality. This is a Confucian criterion for dealing with the relation between righteousness and gain. Between the pursuit of gain and the upholding of morality a conflict has long existed. Because people more often than not may covet personal gain and overlook morality, their actions may go against virtue and violate the law. Against this kind of situation Confucius advanced the stand of "thinking of righteousness in the face of gain," proposing that people should strive for gain on the basis of the principle of morality. He who knows morality is a man of virtue, and he who blindly pursues gain is a petty man.
引例 Citation:
◎見利思義,見危授命,久要不忘平生之言,亦可以為成人矣。(《論語·憲問》)
看見利益時思考該不該得,遇到危險時肯付出生命,經過長久的窮困而不忘記平日的諾言,也可以說是成人了。
He who when faced with gain thinks of righteousness, who when confronted with danger is ready to lay down his life, and who does not forget a past promise despite enduring poverty, may be considered a true man! (The Analects)
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