天人之分

Distinction Between Man and Heaven

• 圖片來源：學習強國

一種認為天與人相分別的世界觀和思維方式。此說最初由荀子所提出，他反對將人世的道德、秩序的來源或依據寄託於天。荀子認為，天與人各有其職分，不應混淆。天地日月的運行、寒暑水旱的出現，都屬於天職的領域，有其常道，與人事無關，也非人力所及。而人的道德、人世的治亂則屬於人職的範圍，人應對道德的養成及社會的治理負責。只有明確了“天人之分”，人才能在天所賦予和確立的基礎之上發揮人的能力而不是僭越到人無法用力的領域。

This term refers to a world outlook and a way of thinking which hold that heaven and man are different. This explanation was first put forward by Xunzi, who did not believe that human morality and the order of human society emanated from heaven. He argued that heaven and man each had a different role and that they should not be mixed. Temporal changes of heaven and earth as well as the occurrence of seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall all belonged to the domain of heaven. They had their normal path, unrelated to human affairs, and were beyond the reach of human power. On the other hand, man's morality and order in the world belonged to the realm of man. People should be responsible for moral development and social order. Only by making a clear distinction between heaven and man could one develop his abilities on the basis established by heaven, without overstepping into a domain where man was unable to exert his power.

引例 Citation：

◎天行有常，不為堯存，不為桀亡。……強本而節用，則天不能貧；養備而動時，則天不能病；修道而不貳，則天不能禍。……故明於天人之分，則可謂至人矣。（《荀子•天論》）

天的運行有其常道，不因為堯在位而存在，不因為桀在位而消失。……加強農事而節省用度，則天不能使之貧乏；供養充足而活動適時，則天不能使之疾病；循行正道而堅定不移，則天不能加以災禍。……因此能夠明曉天與人的區分，就可以稱之為最高明的人了。

Nature's ways are constant. They did not exist because Yao was on the throne or disappear because Jie was the ruler... When you work diligently in agriculture and are frugal in expenditures, nature cannot impoverish you. When you are well provided for with what you need and work at the proper time, nature cannot make you sick. When you firmly follow the right path, nature cannot bring you disaster... Therefore, he who understands the distinction between nature and man may be called the wisest man. (Xunzi)

（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）