---
title: "芝園集 · 四子要言序"
description: "芝園集是北宋律宗高僧元照的文集。元照生活于北宋中后期，是南山律宗的重要复兴者，其思想深受天台宗影响，主张戒律与净土修行并重。该书收录了其释律著述、文集、以及弘扬净土法门的论述，系统阐述了他的律学思想和净土观念。芝園集集中体现了宋代律学的发展与融合趋势，对后世汉传佛教，特别是律宗与净土宗的实践影响深远，是研究中国佛教史、宋代律宗思想及元照生平的重要文献。"
url: "https://rushiwowen.co/en/r/cmcwo1bmy0ljujs04s2evy0kq"
---

### 四子要言序

> Preface to the Essential Teachings of the Four Sons

天道體剛而用柔地道體柔而用剛人生天地間稟天地二氣而為體固當法天地而為行古先聖王能盡天地之理法天之柔所以教人行仁也法地之剛所以教人為義也是故仁主於慈愛義主於果斷此人倫之大本儒教之宗極也孔子祖述堯舜憲章文武豈有他哉故曰吾道一以貫之忠恕而已忠豈非義耶恕豈非仁耶則知孔子言行動靜雖用舍萬異而未始出於仁義矣予甞閱諸子書獨愛荀孟楊王能宗孔子之道知儒教之本故孟子對梁惠王曰何必曰利亦有仁義而已文中子曰仁義其教之本乎荀子曰唯仁之為守唯義之為行楊子曰太玄為仁義而作所以四子之書不混於異端者此也孟子文中皆門人所錄荀子楊子乃秉筆所撰其文富其事繁非博綜於儒業者不可備覽故於其間採摭簡當精要之言有足訓世者總為一集題曰四子要言然在言雖簡而為學為道為人為政君臣父子百行五常之義亦已盡矣學而思之得無補於心術哉。

> The Way of Heaven is firm in essence yet gentle in action; the Way of Earth is gentle in essence yet firm in action. Born between heaven and earth, humans receive the breath of both and make it their own nature. Thus, we should model our conduct after heaven and earth. The ancient sage-kings fully understood the principles of heaven and earth: they followed the gentleness of heaven to teach people to practice benevolence, and they followed the firmness of earth to teach people to practice righteousness. Therefore, benevolence is rooted in compassion and love, while righteousness is rooted in resolute decision-making. These are the great foundations of human relations and the ultimate principles of Confucianism. Confucius transmitted the teachings of Yao and Shun and modeled himself on Kings Wen and Wu—was there anything more to his way? Hence, he said, "My Way is threaded through with one principle: loyalty and empathy." Is loyalty not a form of righteousness? Is empathy not a form of benevolence? From this, we see that although Confucius's words, actions, and stillness varied endlessly, he never departed from benevolence and righteousness. In my reading of various philosophers, I have found that only Xunzi, Mencius, Yang Xiong, and Wang Tong truly honored the Way of Confucius and understood the foundation of Confucian teaching. Mencius told King Hui of Liang, "Why speak of profit? There is only benevolence and righteousness." Wang Tong said, "Are not benevolence and righteousness the foundation of teaching?" Xunzi said, "Hold fast to benevolence and practice righteousness." Yang Xiong said, "The \*Great Mystery\* was written for the sake of benevolence and righteousness." Thus, the works of these four masters are not mixed with heterodox doctrines. The works of Mencius and Wang Tong were recorded by their disciples, while those of Xunzi and Yang Xiong were written by their own hands. Their texts are rich and their contents extensive—not easily perused by anyone who has not thoroughly studied Confucian learning. Therefore, I have selected from among them concise and essential sayings worthy of guiding the world, and gathered them into a single collection titled \*Essential Sayings of the Four Masters\*. Though the words are brief, the meanings concerning learning, the Way, self-cultivation, governance, the relationships between ruler and minister, father and son, and the various virtues and ethical principles are already complete. If one studies and reflects on them, how could they not benefit one's mind and cultivate one's character?