此风亦波及海外华人世界,华文媒体也争相介绍这位早已被遗忘的曾文正公。
A little over a decade ago, The Complete Works of Zeng Guofan and other literary works about Zeng Guofan were published, after which the man who had changed the course of history immediately attracted widespread interest from Chinese people, as though a rare cultural relic had just been excavated.
At that time, government officials and literati, businessmen and troops, and even ordinary folks found it cultured and stylish to have conversations about Zeng.
The craze also spread to overseas Chinese communities, and Chinese-language media scrambled to cover the long-neglected Zeng Wenzheng.
中国近代史上叱咤风云的人物岂止千百,为何此人能得到众多领域和层次的关注:似乎只要是中国人,谁都可以从他身上说点什么!
There were numerous immensely powerful figures in modern Chinese history, but how did this man capture the attention of people from various fields and social classes?
Apparently, every Chinese person knows something about him!
In that case, his rise to fame came not only as a result of his legendary personal experience, but also because of his being an iconic representative of Chinese ethnic values and culture.
看来,这就不仅仅是出于个人经历的传奇性,而是此人身上有着民族和文化的负载。
There were numerous immensely powerful figures in modern Chinese history, but how did this man capture the attention of people from various fields and social classes?
Apparently, every Chinese person knows something about him!
In that case, his rise to fame came not only as a result of his legendary personal experience, but also because of his being an iconic representative of Chinese ethnic values and culture.
曾经创造过五千年灿烂文明的中国文化,在如此形势下如何立足,它究竟还有没有存在的必要,中华民族还需要它的哺育吗?
How can it gain a foothold in today’s world?
Is its existence still necessary?
Does the Chinese nation still need its nurturing?
它还有发展的可能吗?
Can it continue to develop?
These problems, which should not have existed to begin with, have now confused far-sighted intellectuals.
这些原本不是问题的问题,如今似乎已成了有识之士的困惑。
Can it continue to develop?
These problems, which should not have existed to begin with, have now confused far-sighted intellectuals.
曾氏被公认为中国近代最后一个集传统文化于一身的典型人物,人们对他的关注和兴趣,正好给我们以启示:处在变革时期而浮躁不安的中国人,依然渴求来自本族文化的滋润,尤其企盼从这种文化所培育出的成功人士身上获取某些启迪。
Zeng is recognized as the last exemplar to embody the values of traditional culture in modern China.
We can conclude from his rise to fame that during times of changes the impetuous and restless Chinese people still crave the nourishment of the native culture, and, in particular, some enlightenment from high achievers who developed in the culture.
Such enlightenment, since it is gained from someone of the same ethnic origins, is deemed more harmonious, practical and effective.
这启迪,因同源同种同血脉的缘故,而显得更亲切,更实用,也更有效。
Zeng is recognized as the last exemplar to embody the values of traditional culture in modern China.
We can conclude from his rise to fame that during times of changes the impetuous and restless Chinese people still crave the nourishment of the native culture, and, in particular, some enlightenment from high achievers who developed in the culture.
Such enlightenment, since it is gained from someone of the same ethnic origins, is deemed more harmonious, practical and effective.
此事给我们这批从事中国文化工作的人以振奋,它使我们增加了信心,看到了未来的前途。
This has inspired those of us working in the field of Chinese culture by boosting our confidence and showing us the way ahead for Chinese culture.
然而,中国文化既博大精深,又浩繁芜杂,在眼下信息爆炸竞争激烈的时代,机遇良多,一刻千金,人们再也没有往日田园般宁静的心境和经年累月足不出户闭门读书的悠闲。
Chinese culture is, however, profound yet complicated.
In the current era of information explosion where competition is fierce, abundant opportunities have arisen and time is considered precious.
Therefore, people are precluded from enjoying the bygone idyllic serenity or relishing staying in to read books for months on end.
如何让忙于事功者领略中国文化的智慧呢?
Chinese culture is, however, profound yet complicated.
In the current era of information explosion where competition is fierce, abundant opportunities have arisen and time is considered precious.
Therefore, people are precluded from enjoying the bygone idyllic serenity or relishing staying in to read books for months on end.
曾国藩便是中国文化的代表人之一,无论从哪个角度来看他,都有值得借鉴之处。
Zeng Guofan is indeed one of the representatives of Chinese culture.
No matter our standpoint, we can always learn something from his deeds.
For example, as a mere human being, how did he, though physically weak, have inexhaustible energy to accomplish so much and leave us with so much to ponder in only 60 years?
比如说,作为一个个体生命,他以病弱之躯在短短的六十年里,做了如许多的事情,留下如许多的思考,他的超常精力从何而来?
Zeng Guofan is indeed one of the representatives of Chinese culture.
No matter our standpoint, we can always learn something from his deeds.
For example, as a mere human being, how did he, though physically weak, have inexhaustible energy to accomplish so much and leave us with so much to ponder in only 60 years?
作为一个头领,他白手起家创建一支体制外的团队,在千难万险中将这支团队带到成功的彼岸,此中的本事究竟有哪些?
As a commander, what capabilities did he have to succeed in raising a regional army independent of the government from scratch and bring success to the army while facing adversities?
As a father and brother, why did he have so much devotion to write thousands of letters to his children and younger siblings and even continue tending to and inculcating them while facing the perils and mortal dangers of war?
作为一个父兄,一生给子弟写信数以千计,即便在军情险恶、随时都有生命危险之际,仍对子弟不忘殷殷关注、谆谆教诲。
As a commander, what capabilities did he have to succeed in raising a regional army independent of the government from scratch and bring success to the army while facing adversities?
As a father and brother, why did he have so much devotion to write thousands of letters to his children and younger siblings and even continue tending to and inculcating them while facing the perils and mortal dangers of war?
他的这种非同寻常的爱心源于何处?
As a senior official, how did he think up the idea of learning from the West for self-strengthening and implement it within the boundaries of his authority when all Chinese people were baffled about how to get out of the grim situation?
作为一个国家的高级官员,在举世昏昏不明津渡的时候,他能提出向西方学习徐图自强的构想,并在权力所及的范围内加以实施。
As a senior official, how did he think up the idea of learning from the West for self-strengthening and implement it within the boundaries of his authority when all Chinese people were baffled about how to get out of the grim situation?
他的这种识见从何产生?
As a senior official, how did he think up the idea of learning from the West for self-strengthening and implement it within the boundaries of his authority when all Chinese people were baffled about how to get out of the grim situation?
所有这些,都是值得今人仔细琢磨的课题。(选自《唐浩明评点曾国藩家书》前言,唐浩明评点,岳麓书社,2002)
All these questions deserve our consideration today. (Excerpted from the preface of Tang Haoming's Review of Zeng Guofan’s Family Letters, Yuelu Press, 2002)