崇儉黜奢：明代君臣的治國典範

Advocating Thriftiness and Reproving Extravagance: The Model of Administration for Emperors and Ministers of Ming Dynasty

由於中葉時期的風氣驟變，明代經常被視為「逐利」、「拜金」、「僭越」與「奢華」的時代。不可否認的，士商相染的習氣下，生活趨向浮華的流風，多為官僚集團所引領。但儒家經典與青史明訓早已告訴明代君臣，「崇儉黜奢」是治國最根本的典範。因而，人君當以「儉樸」為萬民表率，一旦皇帝言行失當，中央官僚集團試圖透過奏疏，以祖訓、災異等詳加規範與限制。地方官員則與士紳配合，藉以鄉約，充分實踐「儉約」。明代崇儉風氣的推行，宗族勢力亦不容小覷，「節儉」寫錄族規家訓，為開枝散葉的重要教條。「崇儉黜奢」政策的實施目的，除避免皇權被僭越，實為穩定社稷與維持國勢的基本力量之一。

In Ming Dynasty， the social atmosphere experienced a sudden change during the mid-Ming years， and became a period characterized by “interest seeking”， “materialism”， “overstepping authority” and “extravagance”. Undeniably， this trend of pompousness was mostly led by the bureaucrats. However， emperors and ministers of Ming Dynasty should have been told by Confucian classics and teachings of the history that “advocating thriftiness and reproving extravagance” is the fundamental model of good administration. Therefore， emperors were expected to set a good example of leading a “thrifty and simple” life. Whenever the emperor spoke or acted inappropriately， the central bureaucracy would try to rectify and control him by means of the memorials to the throne and on the basis of ancestral teachings or the warning of natural disasters and extraordinary phenomena. On the other hand， local officials worked with the gentry to bring “thriftiness” into full play by laying down “village regulations”. The promotion of a thrifty atmosphere in Ming Dynasty owed a lot to the clan power. “Thriftiness” was written into the clans’ regulations and families’ teachings， and became an important doctrine for familial succession. Purposes of “advocating thriftiness and reproving extravagance” are not only to avoid the imperial power from being overstepped， but also to serve as a fundamental stabilizing force for the society and for maintaining the national strength.