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The Common People Are Not Bound by Ceremonial Rites
禮制的施行向下不涉及普通百姓。這是儒家經(jīng)典《禮記》所闡述的周朝禮制施行的一個原則。周朝的禮儀規(guī)定很繁瑣，即便是貴族也不勝其煩；而普通百姓大多生活貧困，忙于生計，沒有足夠的財力和精力完滿地執(zhí)行各種禮儀規(guī)定。故在制度層面規(guī)定不以禮儀苛責于普通百姓，只是用它激勵百姓的自我提升。周禮雖早已成為歷史，但其中蘊含的仁愛和寬容精神，為歷代所崇尚。
This is one of the guiding principles in the implementation of the Zhou rites, as was recorded in The Book of Rites, a Confucian classic. The rituals were so cumbersome at the time that even the nobility found it difficult to observe them strictly. The commoners, mostly poor and busy earning their livelihood, were incapable of affording the money and energy needed to fulfill the numerous ceremonial requirements. Therefore, it was stipulated that observation of the rites not be mandatory for common people. It was only used to inspire them towards self-improvement. Although the Zhou rites had long since become history, the spirit of benevolence and tolerance shown in this principle was upheld in the ages that followed.
引例 Citations：
◎禮不下庶人，刑不上大夫。（《禮記·曲禮上》）
禮制的施行向下不涉及普通百姓，刑法的施行向上不涉及大夫一級的貴族官員。
The common people are not bound by official ceremonial rites, while highranking officials are not subject to penal statutes. (The Book of Rites)
◎凡所謂禮不下庶人者，以庶人遽其事而不能充禮，故不責之以備禮也。（《孔子家語·五刑解》）
但凡所說禮不下庶人，是因為普通百姓忙于生計，不能很好地學習和掌握禮規(guī)，所以不能要求他們有完備的禮儀。
It is said that the common people are not bound by ceremonial rites. Since they are too busy earning their livelihood to fully learn to practice the rituals, they are not obliged to observe the whole set of rules. (Sayings of the School of Confucius)
◎禮不下庶人，欲勉民使至于士。（《白虎通義·五刑》）
禮不下庶人，意在激勵普通百姓努力進取向士看齊。
The common people are not bound by ceremonial rites. In this way, they are encouraged to learn and become scholars. (Debates of the White Tiger Hall)
推薦：教育部 國家語委
供稿：北京外國語大學 外語教學與研究出版社
責任編輯：錢耐安
