..续本文上一页dinary people who want to make progress in cultivating virtue and further our aspirations, we must also "draw near humane ones and distance ourselves from scoundrels." The Analects states, "similar objects tend to gather together"; in other words, "birds of a feather flock together." If we do the deeds of civilized characters, then civil persons will naturally draw near us; when humane characters draw near us, our virtues advance. In contrast, if we do the deeds of scandalous ones, then villains will naturally draw near us; when villains draw near us, then our virtues deteriorate gradually. Therefore, virtuous people always have good teachers, beneficial friends and helpful partners, while unscrupulous scoundrels usually have evil teachers, harmful friends, and sullen seducers.
然则孰是仁者？谁为小人？这似乎是孔子和学生们最喜欢的议题，在《论语》和《孔子家语》中，其定义比比可见。有一次，颜回又问怎样是小人？孔子解释说﹕「专把他人的善行说成坏事，却自喜是辩才无碍；内心狡诈阴险，还自认是聪明绝顶；见人犯错，就幸灾乐祸；自己不虚心向学，反而动辄笑人无知；这都是标准的小人行径。」那小人的言论有什么特质呢？孔子又说﹕「君子以实际行事作为语言，小人只靠口舌。所以君子会在合乎义理的事情上相互批评砥砺，私底下却彼此亲敬；小人则是在做坏事时相互倚赖合作，私底下却彼此仇视。」
Who”s considered humane and who”s considered scandalous, how- ever
This appeared to have been one of the favorite debate topics for Confucius and his students. The Confucian Analects and the Words for the Household repeatedly iterated these definitions. For example, once Yan Hill inquired about the definition of a scoundrel. Confucius explained that a crook was "One who purposely depicts others” good deeds as bad, yet merrily considers oneself flawlessly eloquent. A scoundrel is calculating and endangering, yet one considers himself exceptionally intelligent. One sees others make mistakes and delights in the disaster. One doesn”t try to learn humbly but actually laughs at others” ignorance. These are some of the typical habits of a scoundrel." Then what are the outstanding qualities of a civil being
Confucius answered, "The civil one uses action as his language whereas the scoundrel relies only on words. Thus, civil persons will mutually criticize and compare according to reason and pertinence of the issue. Privately they value and respect each other. On the other hand, scoundrels cooperate and depend on one another while committing crime. Privately they treat each other like enemies."
总之，君子小人最大的不同，在于「君子喻于义；小人喻于利」，也就是说一个胸怀公开正直，以义自守；一个居心狭隘自私，唯利是图。所以君子会面，无不谘诹劝善；小人碰头，总是狼狈为奸。因此，我们虽说众生平等，要「泛爱众」；却是要善恶明了，以「亲仁」为依归。泛爱众本是心存等慈，是其原则；亲仁则是行事合宜，是个权便。存心当仁，行事须智；仁心智行，就足以顶天立地，通达四海了。
In summary, the biggest difference between civilized humanitarians and scoundrels is that "Civil ones are acclimatized to justice while uncivil ones are acclimatized to self-interest." In other words, one maintains an open and straightforward heart, safeguarding integrity while the other dwells selfishly in narrow-mindedness, caring only for one”s benefits. When gentlemen gather, for instance, they always consult one another and encourage each other to be good. When rascals meet up, however, they always collaborate to do evil. Thus, although we speak of equality among living beings and "love of all beings," we should be clear about good and evil, using "drawing near humaneness" as an anchor. The principle of loving living beings is basically the principle of maintaining equitable kindness; to draw near civility is an expedient act that concurs with principle. If you intend to be a humanitarian, you must conduct yourself wisely. A humane heart and wise conduct are sufficient to prop up heaven and earth and enter the brilliance of the four seas.
《弟子规浅释 Standards for Students 第七章﹕亲仁 Chapter Seven ：ON DRAWING NEAR TO THE HUMANE - 2》全文阅读结束。