文质彬彬·每日好词语 | 惟人万物之灵

整理/秦珍子 制图/董怡璇

　　惟人万物之灵

　　人是万物中最有灵性的。这句话出自《尚书》，代表了中国古人对“人”的根本看法，构成“爱人”“爱民”等政治思想的逻辑原点或理论基础，闪耀着中华人文精神的光辉。今人所崇尚的“以人为本”“人民至上”等思想亦可溯源及此。

　　Of All Living Things, Humanity's Spirit Shines Brightest

　　Humans hold a distinctive position in the panoply of life, recognized as the beings possessing the most vibrant spirit. This concept, originating from The Book of History, epitomizes the ancient Chinese perspective on humanity and serves as the philosophical bedrock for notions of human compassion and care in governance. A manifestation of the inherent humanism in Chinese thought, this concept remains relevant today, with contemporary ideas extolling "human-centric" or "people-first" principles drawing from this deep well of wisdom.

　　引例

　　惟天地万物父母，惟人万物之灵。（《尚书·泰誓上》）（天地是万物的父母，人是万物之灵。）

　　Heaven and earth gave birth to all things. Of all living things, humanity's spirit shines brightest. (The Book of History)