整理/秦珍子 制图/董怡璇

　　言之无文，行而不远

　　这条术语的意思是，语言如果缺乏文采和技巧，就不可能流传广泛久远。孔子原话的意思是说，在外交场合，使臣要擅长辞令、讲究语言技巧，才能达成目标、建立功业。进而引申出，一种思想如果想久远传播，就必须借助于有章法、有文采的书面文字。南朝刘勰在《文心雕龙》中征引了孔子的话，一方面充分肯定文辞的功效，另一方面是为了强调文章形式与技巧的重要性。该语阐明了语文对于明道经世的工具性作用，提升了文艺批评在思想文化史上的地位。

　　Lackluster Wording Never Travels Far

　　This terms means that lackluster writing or speech never travels far. What Confucius meant when he said this is that, in foreign relations, a diplomat should be eloquent and persuasive to achieve goals and become meritorious. Likewise, if an idea is to spread far or be remembered for long, it must be put to paper by rules of writing and with beautiful wording.In The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, Liu Xie of the Southern Dynasties cited these words of Confucius to uphold the importance of diction and to stress the importance of an essay's layout and technique. This term highlights the instrumental role of writing in explaining and being useful to the world, thus raising the status of literary criticism in the history of thought and culture.

　　引例

　　仲尼曰：“志有之：‘言以足志，文以足言。’不言，谁知其志？言之无文，行而不远。”（《左传·襄公二十五年》）（孔子说：“古书上记载：‘语言足以表达思想，文采足以修饰语言。’不说话，有谁能知道他的意愿？语言如果缺乏文采和技巧，就不可能流传广泛久远。”）

　　Confucius said: "According to ancient sources, 'Language proves fit for expressing ideas, and rhetorical skills suffice to retouch language.' If he doesn't speak, who knows how he views anything? Even if he does, lackluster writing or speech will not travel far." (Zuo's Commentary on The Spring and Autumn Annals)

　　秦珍子 董怡璇 来源：中国青年报

　　2026年10月26日 01版