礼运大同篇

Achieving Universal Harmony through the Use of Propriety

“大道之行也，天下为公。选贤与能，讲信修睦。故人不独亲其亲，不独子其子。使老有所终，壮有所用，幼有所长。矜寡孤独废疾者，皆有所养。男有分，女有归。货恶其弃于地也，不必藏于己。力恶其不出于身也，不必为己。是故谋闭而不兴，盗窃乱贼而不作。故外户而不闭。是谓大同。” 

"When the Great Way prevails, every person is a part of society, and society belongs to everyone. The virtuous and the able are chosen for public office. Trustworthiness and friendliness are valued by all. People not only love their own parents and children, but love the parents and children of others as well. The elderly live their last years in happiness; able-bodied adults are usefully employed; children are reared properly. Widowers, widows, orphans, the childless aged, the handicapped and the ailing are well cared for. All men share their social responsibilities, and all women have their respective roles. Natural resources and commodities are not wasted or appropriated for selfish ends. People want to contribute their strength and ability to the society for public good, not for private gain. Deception and cheating cannot occur in such a society. Robbery, larceny, rebellions, and other crimes all disappear. Gates and doors are not locked; no one even thinks of stealing. This is a world where harmony, equality, and justice prevail."

这《礼运大同篇》描述孔子的理想世界。能成就大同世界，天下就太平。没有战争，人人和睦相处，丰衣足食，安居乐业。这是孔子的政治政策，可惜行不通，因为人人皆自私自利的缘故。

This "Essay on the Achievement of Universal Harmony, Equality, and Justice through the Use of Propriety" describes the ideal society of Confucius. If this world of harmony, equality, and justice is realized, peace will prevail under Heaven. Wars will disappear, and everyone will be friendly toward each other. People will be well fed and clothed, live peacefully, and be content with their occupations. That was Confucius' political strategy. Unfor­tunately, it could not be carried out because people were all selfish and concerned with personal gain. 

“礼运”：大家皆在“礼”的道路上走，“运”行不息。人人知道明礼，从不明白处，载运到明白处。“大同”：整个世界都是一家人，人人爱彼如己。没有欺骗的行为，以诚相待，互相援助。大同，就是世界和平的蓝图，所以孙逸仙先生将此篇从《礼记》中提出来，极力提倡“天下为公”。简单地说，大同乃是你我一样，没有彼此、人我、是非之分别。人人自由，人人平等，就是极乐世界。

Through the Use of Propriety: Everyone walks on the path of propriety, and the uses of propriety never cease. People understand propriety. They are brought to this understand­ing by observing the functioning of propriety. Universal Harmony, Equality, and Justice: The whole world becomes one family. People love each other just as they love themselves. Cheating does not happen. People treat each other with sincerity and aid each other in times of need. Such universal harmony, equality, and justice is the blueprint for world peace. That was why Dr. Sun Zhongshan (Sun Yatsen) took this passage from the Book of Rites and advocated its ideal that "every person is a part of society, and society belongs to everyone." In short, universal harmony, equality, and justice means that you and I are the same; there is no distinction of you and me, me and others, right and wrong. Everyone is free, and everyone is equal. This is the world of ultimate bliss.

“大道之行也”：大道，就是共同遵守，而去行持的一个法则。这个光明大道，你也可以走，我也可以走，并非私人的道路。你修则你的大道光明，我修则我的大道光明。这条光明平坦的大道，直接通达大同世界。 

When the Great Way prevails: The Great Way is the law that everyone upholds and abides by. This great, bright way is not a private path; you can walk on it and so can I. You cultivate your own great, bright way, and I cultivate my own. This broad, bright, and smooth path leads straight to the world of universal harmony, equality, and justice. 

（待续 to be continued）  

一九八三年九月二十八日  

 A talk given on September 28, 1983