Chapter 19 ◇Short Collection of Literature and History 【Calligraphy of Near People】

◇Short Collection of Literature and History 【Calligraphy of Near People】 Discussion on "Lao Zi" Problem Book with Mr. Feng Youlan Brother Zhisheng: Thank you very much for your gift of "Lecture Notes on the History of Chinese Philosophy" 183 pages.I've been busy for the past few days, so I didn't have time to read it carefully. After reading it a little, I can see your hard work. I'm very happy to read it.If you see something in the future, you should write a report, thanks to the kindness of Xie Yuandao. Occasionally see a little today, dare not say.You have your own insight in ascribing "Laozi" to the works of the Warring States period; however, the three pieces of evidence cited in the lecture notes are not enough to overthrow the old theory.First, "Before Confucius, there was no private writing." What is the basis for this general rule?When Confucius was three years old, Shusun Bao already had the theory of three immortals, among which "Li Yan" was already one of the three immortals.He also stated clearly that "the doctor of Lu Youxian called Zang Wenzhong, since he didn't, he made a statement."Could it be that the speakers at that time were all oral professors?Confucius’ own quotations, such as Zhou Ren’s, are they just words?As for Deng Xi's book, although it is not the current biography, isn't it a private one?Therefore, I think this statement is not enough to be used as a basis.

Second, ""Laozi" is not a question-and-answer style, so it should be after "Mencius." This statement is even more untenable.Should all non-question-and-answer books come after Mencius? Are the books such as "Mozi" before "Mencius" all falsely entrusted by later generations?What's more, what is the basis for the general rule that "books in non-question-and-answer style should follow books in question-and-answer style"?As far as I know, there is no such general rule in the history of world literature. Most of the books in "Lao Tzu" are rhymes. If the rhyme appears before the prose according to the general rule of thumb, then "Lao Tzu" should be right before the prose. , "Tan Gong" and other Lu literature began the atmosphere of pure prose, so it can be said that pure prose originated from Lu literature, but it is impossible to say that there should be no transitional style of "Laozi" before it.

Third, "the text of Laozi is a concise 'jing' style, which shows that it is a work of the Warring States Period." This article is even more incomprehensible.What kind of text is the concise "Jing" style?Is it aphoristic style? Is this always the case in Confucius' own words?Open it up and see, besides the questions and answers, is it like this chapter and chapter? "Smart words, courteous looks, fresh and benevolent": "A country with a thousand chariots, respect things and be faithful, be frugal and love others, so that the people can use the time": "When traveling in summer, take advantage of Yin's scorpion, and serve Zhou's crown"... ...Is this the "concise scripture?"

If I doubt "Lao Tzu", I dare not object; but none of the three items you mentioned can convince me, so I dare not argue for it.Overthrowing an important person in academic history seems to be no small matter, and it is necessary to put forward more well-founded reasons. Brother Zhang Yisun once refuted the evidence presented by Mr. Ren Gong, but he can no longer remember it now.Here's a little bit about what I can see.Ren Gong cited six items: (1) The thirteenth generation grandson of Confucius can be at the same time as the eighth generation grandson of Lao Tzu.On this point, Mr. Ren told me that this happened to his Liang family, so he is the eldest, five or six generations behind the youngest.I am also a big family myself, and the ranking in our clan is the cross of "Tian De Xi Zhenxiang, Hong En Yu Kindness". There is a "Shan" generation, while the other branch only reaches the "Xiang" generation.This assumes that the lineage recorded in "Historical Records" is credible.What's more, these two lineages are very suspicious?

(2) Why did Confucius not praise Lao Tzu?I have already pointed out that the chapter "repaying grievances with virtue" is a criticism of Lao Tzu.In addition, the theory of "governing by doing nothing" seems to be influenced by Lao Tzu. (3) The words of Lao Tzu recorded in "Zeng Zi Wen" are contrary to the spirit of the five thousand words of "Lao Tzu".This is what I never understood Lao Tzu's words.Laozi advocates non-dispute and judo, he is just a cautious person. (4) The words of "Historical Records" are irrelevant, and we are not based on "Historical Records".

(5) Many of Lao Tzu's words are too intense, unlike what people said in the Spring and Autumn Period.May I ask if Deng Xi was from the Spring and Autumn Period?Who is the person who was the poet of "Fatan" and "Shuoshu"? (6) The words "Hou Wang", "Wang Gong", "Wanghou", "Lord of Wancheng" and "Taking the World" used by Lao Tzu were not owned by people in the Spring and Autumn Period.Does he not remember? In "Gu", there are nine words "don't matter to princes". The Xiangci in Kan has "the prince set up a danger", and the Xiangci in Li has "Li the prince also".Isn't it strange that Confucius can say "a country of a thousand chariots", but Lao Tzu is not allowed to say "a king of ten thousand chariots"?As for the official titles such as "Partial General", there is not enough evidence. Doesn't the "Hanshu·Jiaosi Zhi" say "Master Du, so the right general of Zhou"?

What has been said above is just one or two incidents, which show that I have not yet seen a sufficient reason to move "Laozi" to the rear. As for you, Taoism is a latecomer, so it can adopt the strengths of each school.This statement is very true.But "Taoism" is a term after Qin Dynasty, and what Sima Tan refers to is Taoism, which is the leader of all schools.In the era of Laozi and Zhuangzi, no one called them Taoists.Therefore, although this statement is true, it is not enough to overthrow the early publication of "Lao Zi". What has been written above is just a hasty expression and cannot be exhaustive, so I hope to correct it.

March 20, 1930 Volume 1 of "Recent Works on Hu Shi's Studies"