The meaning of "Studying the relationship between heaven and man, understanding the changes from ancient times to the present, and forming a family's opinion" - I want to use it to study the relationship between natural phenomena and human society, understand the changes from ancient times to the present, and form a family's opinions. theory.
1. Studying the relationship between heaven and man:
The so-called "investigating the relationship between heaven and man" is to explore the relationship between heaven and human affairs. On this issue, Sima Qian inherited the materialist tradition of the distinction between heaven and man since the pre-Qin Dynasty. He opposed the interference of heaven in human affairs and believed that social phenomena are composed of human activities. Heaven is heaven, humans are humans, and heaven belongs to natural phenomena. There is no necessary connection with human affairs. This view is opposed to the so-called authentic Confucian theory of "influence between heaven and man" advocated by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
2. Understanding the changes in the past and the present:
The so-called "according to the changes in the past and the present" means to find the reasons for the rise and fall of the past dynasties through the development and evolution of history. Two ideas are involved here:
①Thought of historical evolution:
Sima Qian’s view of history expressed in "Historical Records" is different from Dong Zhongshu’s view that "Heaven remains unchanged and Tao remains unchanged" . He believed that history progressed through various reforms. Therefore, he always adopted a praising attitude towards political reforms that occurred in history. For example, he had a certain understanding of the role of Wu Qi's reforms and Shang Yang's reforms in promoting the progress of history during the Warring States Period. It is said that the political achievements of Wu Qi's reforms are that "the princes are in trouble and the strength of Chu"; the political achievements of Shang Yang's reforms are that "after five years of implementation, the people of Qin will become rich and powerful"; "after ten years of implementation, the people of Qin will be happy, no one will pick up relics along the way, there will be no thieves in the mountains, and the family will be rich." If there are enough people, the people will be brave enough to fight in public and afraid of private fights, and the countryside will be well governed." The same is true for Qin Shihuang. Sima Qian once called "Qin a violent Qin", "a ruthless Qin", and "a Qin of tigers and wolves", but for Qin Shihuang. The achievements of implementing reforms are still certain, "Qin conquered the world with great violence, but the world changed, and the success was great." It reflects a kind of thought that emphasizes the present and the past and a historian's vision of "understanding the changes between the past and the present".
②The dialectical thought of "original observation of the end, seeing the prosperity and observing the decline":
The so-called "original observation of the end, seeing the prosperity and observing the decline" is to observe an era through some historical phenomena Or the reason why a specific system rises and falls. The rise and fall of history are not accidental, they are all traceable, and often "prosperity" includes "decline" factors. For example, "Book of Pinghuai" records that Emperor Wu was prosperous and peaceful, but it was also pregnant with factors of decline - the wealthy were arrogant and overflowing with wealth, and competed for luxury. It shows that when Sima Qian studied history, he paid attention to the causal relationship of historical facts and explained the transformation of history, with simple dialectical thinking.
3. Cheng Jia's words:
The so-called "Cheng Jia's words" refer to writing such a historical work to express some of his unique historical insights and some of his views. Social and political thought. "Taishigong's Preface" says that his ideal is to make "Historical Records" second to "Spring and Autumn" and he himself to become the second Confucius. At that time, people generally believed that Confucius "composed the Spring and Autumn Annals based on the Historical Records (Historical Records of Lu) as a king's law." This king's law "records the gains and losses of the world and shows why they are the way they are. It is very quiet and clear, and has no tradition." "", it "explains the ways of the three kings, distinguishes the rules of human affairs, distinguishes suspicion, distinguishes right from wrong, determines hesitation, good and evil, good and bad, good and bad." The reason why Confucius uses history to express his ideals is because Confucius said. : "The empty words I want to record are not as profound and famous as those seen in deeds." Sima Qian wrote "Historical Records" and compared it to "Spring and Autumn", which also contained his ideals, and his ideals were also reflected in the narration of historical facts. of.
Source of the work
"Studying the relationship between heaven and man, understanding the changes of ancient and modern times, and becoming a family" comes from "Book of Reporting to Ren An" (also called "Book of Reporting to Ren Shaoqing"), a historian of the Western Han Dynasty , a reply letter written by the writer Sima Qian to his friend Ren An. Sima Qian stated his misfortune and expressed his inner pain in an angry mood, indicating that because "Historical Records" was not completed, he was determined to put aside personal gains and losses. Compared with the "dead knot" people, he showed a progressive outlook on life and death. The writing makes extensive use of allusions and parallel sentence patterns, with parallelism, quotation, and exaggerated rhetorical techniques interspersed throughout, creating a magnificent momentum. This article plays an irreplaceable role in helping future generations understand Sima Qian's life and his thoughts.
Creative background
Ren An was a friend of Sima Qian, also known as Shaoqing. He was a student of General Wei Qing in his early years. When Huo Qubing gradually gained the favor of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and gradually became superior to Wei Qing, Wei Qing's old friends and disciples all took refuge in Huo Qubing, and thus received official titles. Only Ren An refused and still served Wei Qing.
During the witchcraft disaster, Ren An served as the envoy of the Northern Defense Army and held military power. Prince Li sent someone to ask him to send troops to help in the battle. He accepted the ban, but still closed the city gate. Refuse to accept the prince.
After the incident subsided, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty rewarded those who arrested the prince, and punished those who followed the prince and helped the prince with serious crimes. Regarding Ren An, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty thought his actions were okay and did not blame him. However, someone later suggested that the prince had no choice but to "steal his father's soldiers" under the circumstances of "if he advances, he will not be able to meet his superiors, but if he retreats, he will be trapped by the troubled ministers". In fact, he had no intention of rebellion, which made Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty realize that the prince was unjust. . As a result, the previous disposition was reviewed again, and it became clear that all those who fought against the prince and rebelled against the prince were guilty. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty changed his mind, he had fundamental doubts about Ren An's attitude towards the prince. He blamed Ren An for not helping the prince, but sitting on both sides, ready to rely on whoever wins, so he sentenced him. Cut in half.
Ren An believed that he was unjustly accused and was about to be executed in December. He wrote to Sima Qian, who could often see the emperor, asking him to try to rescue him.
When Sima Qian received this letter, he felt quite embarrassed. He knew Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and he had experienced the pain of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty when he was furious. He really did not want to suffer a second "Li Ling Disaster". In terms of friendship, Li Ling and he had never been on good terms with each other, but Ren An was his old friend, and their families were very familiar with each other. Sima Qian also knew very well that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was bent on avenging the prince, and he felt that there was no possibility of redress for Ren An's death sentence. He wanted to explain to his old friend the reason why he refused to save his life and asked for his forgiveness. So, in November of the second year of Zhenghe, the fifty-five-year-old Sima Qian wrote a long letter to Ren An.
Ren An was finally cut in half, and Sima Qian also spent the rest of his life sighing. There was Li Shaoqing (Li Ling) before him and Ren Shaoqing (Ren An) after him, both of which caused great ripples in his life. Obviously the former is stormy, while the latter is just the aftermath of the former. It looks calm and crystal clear, but also makes people think.
Original text of the work
In ancient times, people were rich and famous but could not be remembered. Only those who were suave and suave could be called them. Gai Xibo (King Wen) was restrained and performed "The Book of Changes"; Zhongnieu wrote "Spring and Autumn"; Qu Yuan was exiled and wrote "Li Sao"; Zuo Qiu was blind and wrote "Guoyu"; Sun Tzu Binjiao revised the "Art of War"; Bu Wei moved to Shu, which was written in "Lü Lan"; Han Fei was imprisoned in Qin, and wrote "Shuo Nan" and "Gu Ang"; there are three hundred poems in "Poetry", which are mostly the works of sages out of anger. These people are all depressed and unable to find their way, so they talk about the past and think about the future. It's like Zuo Qiu has no eyes, and his grandson has broken his foot, so he can't use it anymore. He retreats to discuss writing strategies to relieve his anger, and thinks about the empty writing to see for himself.
The servant is not inferior, and he relies on his incompetent words to collect the world and let go of the old news. He briefly examines his actions, sums up the beginning and end, and examines the reasons for success and failure. The top plan is Xuanyuan, and the bottom is here. , for ten tables, twelve chapters of this era, eight chapters of books, thirty chapters of noble families, seventy biographies, and one hundred and thirty ordinary chapters. I also want to study the relationship between heaven and man, understand the changes in ancient and modern times, and form a family story. If the initial creation is not completed, it will suffer this disaster. It is a pity that it will not succeed, so it will be punished without any regrets. Pucheng has written this book and hid it in a famous mountain. He passed it on to his people and spread it to most of the cities and towns. Then he will repay the responsibility of the previous humiliation. Even if he is killed thousands of times, how can he regret it? However, this is the way for the wise, but it is difficult for the common people to say it!
It is not easy to live in the lower class, and there are many slanders in the upper class. If a servant encounters this misfortune with his spoken language, and laughs at the villagers to humiliate his ancestors, how can he return to his parents' tomb with a face? Even though I have been tired for hundreds of lifetimes, my ears are still very dirty! Therefore, the intestines make nine rounds in one day, and when they are in, they suddenly feel like they are dying, and when they come out, they do not know where they are going. Every time I think about this shame, sweat breaks out on my back and my clothes are stained! I am a minister of my boudoir, I would rather lead myself to hide in a cave! Therefore, we should follow the ups and downs of the world, and bow down with the times, in order to understand its madness and confusion. Today, Shaoqing teaches them how to promote talents and promote scholars. Isn’t this because of selfish motives of servants? Although today I want to carve my own sculptures and decorate myself with eloquent words, it is not helpful to the common people. If I don't believe it, it is enough to insult the ears. The important thing is that the day of death and right and wrong are determined. The book cannot fully express its meaning and is a little out of date. Goodbye.
A great historian, writer and thinker in the Western Han Dynasty of China. Sima Tan's son was appointed Taishi Ling. He was castrated for defending Li Ling's defeat and surrender, and was later appointed Zhongshu Ling. He worked hard to complete the historical books he wrote, and was honored as Shi Qian, Tai Shi Gong and the Father of History by later generations.
Sima Qian studied under Kong Anguo and Dong Zhongshu in his early years. He traveled around various places, learned about customs and collected rumors. When he was first appointed as a doctor, he was envoy to the southwest. In the third year of Yuanfeng (108 BC), he was appointed as Taishi Ling, inherited his father's business, and wrote history. With his historical knowledge of "studying the relationship between heaven and man, understanding the changes of ancient and modern times, and becoming a family", he created China's first biographical general history "Shiji" (originally known as "Tai Shi Gong Shu"). It is recognized as a model of Chinese history books. This book records a history of more than 3,000 years from the Huangdi period in ancient legends to the first year of Yuanshou, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It is the first of the "Twenty-six Histories" and was praised by Lu Xun. "The historian's swan song, the rhymeless Li Sao".