Patriotism is a basic spirit for the survival and development of a nation and a country. It is an emotion and moral principle commonly shared by those who have a country and a family. However, patriotism is a historical category, which has specific objects, contents, and forms. In the history of the development of the Chinese nation, the tradition of patriotism has a long history and has a wide range of manifestations, such as maintaining national integrity, defending national dignity, safeguarding territorial integrity, caring for the world, being attached to the motherland, and caring about the country

Caring about the people, and serving the country The people ask for orders, dare to innovate, revitalize China, and so on. As an integral part of the Chinese national spirit, ancient Chinese patriotism has three distinctive characteristics.

First, "having the world in mind" is the core of the patriotism spirit in ancient China

In ancient China, there was the title of "the world", as well as "state", "country" and "country". "The title. The concepts of "country" and "tianxia" have many overlaps, but the concept of "tianxia" has relatively more social significance and fairness. This is the reason why ancient patriots and people with lofty ideals loved "the world" and often associated their sense of mission with "the world". As for "country", its specific political situation determines that it is only one of the connotations of patriotism.

The "good governance" considered by the sages in the Spring and Autumn Period was based on "the world". Take "Laozi" as an example. In the 5,000 words, "天下" involves 29 chapters, *** appears 55 times, and "国" appears only 2 times.

Confucius, Mozi, Zhuangzi, Mencius, etc. are all thinkers who regard "the world" as their own responsibility, and their political vision is based on the overall situation of the world. Xunzi said it well: "The state is a small tool, which can be possessed by a small person, obtained by a small way, and maintained by a small force; the country is a big tool, which cannot be possessed by a small person, and cannot be possessed by a small person. It can be achieved by small means, but it cannot be achieved by small efforts. A country or a small person can achieve it, but it may not survive; the world is the greatest, and no one but a saint can achieve it." (" Xunzi·Zhenglun Chapter").

In ancient patriotism, the concept of "tianxia" has the characteristics of transcending the narrow interests of kings, courts and patriarchal groups. This established the latitude of "the people are the foundation of the country". Among the hundreds of pre-Qin scholars, "the world" occupies the highest position. In fact, the object or starting point of patriotism we promote today should be more corresponding to the concept of "tianxia". In ancient history, the true patriotic spirit was first positioned on taking the world as one's own responsibility. As Gu Yanwu said: The destruction of the country is just a change of dynasty, and the destruction of the world is the disaster of the motherland. It can be seen that loving "the world" is the fundamental connotation of patriotism. This is the starting point for our understanding of ancient patriotism.

Second, ancient Chinese patriotism is closely related to the belief in "Cultural China"

In fact, "China" is not only a geographical concept, but also a cultural entity. The patriotism of the ancient Chinese is reflected in the fact that cultural integration and identity are regarded as the foundation of good governance, the ultimate realization of the so-called kingly way

. Compared with other ancient civilization systems in the world, the most significant feature of Chinese civilization is that it has lasted for thousands of years, so that many people in the world still hope to find out from Chinese culture how to make their own culture last longer

Long-lasting wisdom. The Zhou rites produced in the Western Zhou Dynasty were the underlying civilization of China and shaped the prototype of Chinese civilization. The greater significance of Zhouli culture is its symbolic and directional significance of civilization. In the past, Confucianism, which advocated Zhou rites, was often ridiculed as "preserving". This is true in some aspects and in a certain sense, but this evaluation is not comprehensive. As the main bearers of Chinese cultural education, Confucian scholars have always paid attention to the distinction between "literature and history", "literary field" and "literary quality", respecting historical experience and civilizational achievements, and protecting cultural traditions. In essence, the "ancient" that Confucianism talks about mainly refers to the rule of Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen and Wu. It is not the real social state of ancient times - rather, it is a kind of morality.

< p>The value entity that condenses ideals and beliefs. This position of defending civilizational orientation and cultural unity cannot be denied. Around the "Book of Changes", there has also been endless ideological innovation in ancient China. One of its spirits is to adhere to the model of combining and unifying astronomy and humanities on the principle of creating culture. The so-called "viewing astronomy" , to observe the changes of the times; to observe humanities, to transform the world." This general principle of cultural creation and the thinking model of the "Book of Changes" support each other, allowing "cultural China" to form a unique The macroscopic natural structure among people can continuously dissolve and absorb the essence of foreign cultures, thus embarking on the road of long-term stable development. "Tao" in ancient Chinese philosophy is one of the most noble and inclusive categories in Chinese thought and culture. "Tao" actually constitutes the roots and trunk of the genealogy of ancient Chinese philosophy. , which gives the Chinese nation a high degree of unity and self-improvement in psychology, thinking and discourse

The ancient Chinese patriotism is also fully reflected in the inheritance and innovation of the Chinese philosophical spirit by the ancients , they continue to work hard to learn from and absorb foreign culture, but they must make it Chinese, which has created the conceptual framework of "culture

China" as a cultural entity.

Neo-Confucianism of the Song and Ming dynasties was the height of development of medieval Chinese philosophy. One of its purposes was to maintain the independence, tolerance and innovation of Chinese culture, and its mission of "carrying on unique learning for the saints" and "establishing a heart for heaven and earth",

It is an important manifestation of patriotism in ancient culture.

Thirdly, patriotism in ancient China is linked to "loyalty to the emperor"; but "loyalty to the emperor" and "patriotism" are not the same thing

Some people may raise such questions : How could there be true patriotism under the autocratic conditions of ancient China? Even if there is, it is at best a tool to serve autocratic rule, rather than a conscious and voluntary spirit of patriotism

. I think, logically, "loyalty to the emperor" and "patriotism" are two different things. The political system of ancient China is the isomorphism of family and country. The king is the representative of the country. If the skin is gone, how can General Mao be attached? National calamity is a family feud, and "loyalty to the emperor" is a great righteousness. Therefore, Qu Yuan, Yue Fei, Fan Zhongyan, Lu You, Wen Tianxiang, Shi Kefa, etc. in ancient history all had varying degrees of "loyalty to the emperor" or even "loyalty to the emperor". The ideology of "Foolish Loyalty". However, this does not prevent them

from becoming patriots.

It should be noted that in ancient Chinese society, the "monarch" was the legal intermediary for them to realize their ideals of serving the country. Their ideals had a patriotic component that transcended the monarchy and the court. Regarding this point, Mencius discussed the rationality of attacking the tyrant in "Mencius·Li

Lou Shang". This concept has far-reaching influence and aroused the revolutionary pride in history. There is no contradiction between loyalty to the emperor and opposition to the tyrant. . What's more, according to ancient theoretical thinking, a truly "loyal" king must treat the king in a moral way and be forthright and dare to give advice. Ancient patriotism may appear to be based on various special reasons and motives, but in essence, our evaluation principle should be: no matter what the reason is, if it actually safeguards the Chinese nation

The existence and continuity of the Chinese nation, China, the Chinese people, and Chinese culture also belong to the patriotic spirit and behavior. In the final analysis, only the Chinese nation, China, Chinese people, and Chinese culture, and other factors, including dynasty, royal court affiliation, etc., are not the fundamental symbols of a great motherland. To say this does not mean that those who are "loyal to the emperor" are "patriotic". In history, those who were "loyal to the emperor" and harmed the country at the expense of the interests of "the world" certainly did not belong to the ranks of patriots.

A collection of ancient Chinese patriotic sayings and aphorisms

Those who benefit the country will love it, and those who will harm the country will hate it.

——Yan Ying

Chang Si worked hard and sacrificed himself for the sake of the country regardless of his own safety.

——Sima Qian

Patriotism is like hunger and thirst.

——Ban Gu

Sacrificed his life to go to the national disaster, and regarded death as if he were returning home.

——Cao Zhi

Be worried about the world’s worries first; be happy after the world’s happiness.

——Fan Zhongyan

If you pledge your life to the country, what can you not dare to do?

——Yue Fei

I dare not forget about my country because of my humble position.

——Lu You

Since ancient times, no one has died, leaving a loyal heart to illuminate history.

——Wen Tianxiang

Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world.

——Gu Yanwu

Excerpted from Baidu netizen, thank you.