整理/劉昶榮 制圖/李晗

大節(jié)

　　行事的根本原則與節(jié)度。“大節(jié)”與“小節(jié)”相對，規(guī)定著不同身份的人所應(yīng)擔(dān)負(fù)的根本職責(zé)及相應(yīng)的行事法則，是人必須持守的節(jié)度。在日常的人倫生活中，人們雖有過錯(cuò)，但一般不會(huì)違背“大節(jié)”。而“大節(jié)”的失守，往往是由于禁受不住巨大的壓力或誘惑。因此，持守“大節(jié)”是對人的嚴(yán)峻考驗(yàn)。

Major Principles

　　This term means fundamental principles and standards of behavior. In comparison with minor principles, major principles are about the fundamental duties borne by people of different social status and how they should be performed; they are standards of conduct that people must observe. In ethical human relations, people may commit mistakes, but generally they will not defy major principles. If they should lose control of themselves, it may be the result of failing to withstand great pressure or to resist great temptation. Therefore, remaining true to major principles becomes a major challenge.

引例

　　曾子曰：“可以托六尺之孤，可以寄百里之命，臨大節(jié)而不可奪也。君子人與？君子人也?！保ā墩撜Z·泰伯》）（曾子說：“可以托付給他幼小的孤兒，可以委托他執(zhí)掌諸侯國的政令，面對‘大節(jié)’的考驗(yàn)而不會(huì)動(dòng)搖。這種人是君子嗎？是君子啊。”）

　　Zengzi said, "Suppose there was an individual who could be entrusted with the care of a young orphan, and could be commissioned with authority over a state, and who would not be driven to abandon major principles in the face of difficulties. Is such a man a man of virtue? Indeed, he is a man of virtue." (The Analects)