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A Gentleman Is Not an Implement
君子不能像某種器物一樣，只限于特定的形態(tài)和功能。出自《論語·為政》。孔子原話有兩層含義：其一，每種器物都有自己特定的形態(tài)和功用，但君子的目標不能囿于具體的器物形態(tài)或僅限于某一方面的功用，而是通達其基本原理，盡可能成為通才；其二，君子不能滿足于制作器物這樣的一技之長，而是致力于事物基本規(guī)律的探究也即超越有形的器物而去把握無形的“道”。后世學者主要發(fā)揮后一含義。“君子不器”在當今仍有重要意義，即君子不應拘于本職事務的處理，而應有全局觀念，致力于對基本原則和普遍規(guī)律的體認與遵循。
A true gentleman is not like an implement that has a fixed form and whose operation is subject to its properties. This term originates from The Analects by Confucius. What Confucius meant was: first, an implement has its fixed form and properties. However, a gentleman's vision should not be limited by its form and properties. Instead he should know all their basic functions and be a man of broad knowledge. Second, a gentleman should not stop at knowing only one type of skill for making implements. Instead he should explore all basic rules governing the operation of things, i.e., he should see beyond tangible things and master their intangible rules of operation. This perspective was accepted and further developed by later scholars. The concept still applies today. That is to say, one should not be satisfied in fulfilling his own duties only but should bear in mind the big picture, and better understand and abide by basic principles and universal laws.
引例 Citation：
◎子夏曰：“百工居肆以成其事，君子學以致其道。”（《論語·子張》）
子夏說：“各行各業(yè)的工匠在作坊里來完成自己的工作，君子通過學習來掌握普遍的道?！?/p>
Zixia said: "All craftsmen accomplish their tasks by working hard in their workshops. A gentleman should master universal laws by assiduous study." (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
