昔舜遍尋天下賢士協堯輔政。察高辛氏八子，曰伯奮、仲堪、叔獻、季仲、伯虎、仲熊、叔豹、季貍，天下謂之「八元」。其性秉靈秀，德合乾坤，各懷殊才，以淑世為任。伯奮懷赤心，忠貫日月，每臨事則竭股肱之力，不避危殆，雖雷霆在前而色不變，人皆稱其「忠之楷」；仲堪端方持重，肅以自處，接人待物必守禮度，行止無逾矩，見者皆敬，謂其「肅之範」；叔獻恭謹謙沖，事親孝、事君敬，進退有度，未嘗有傲色，鄉鄰贊其「恭之表」；季仲懿行昭彰，修身勵行，所言皆善，所行皆正，里閭化之，號曰「懿之則」；伯虎明達宣暢，善察民情，能導民以理，每有壅滯，必力排之，使政令通達，人稱「宣之使」；仲熊慈憫仁厚，見鰥寡孤獨則恤之，遇困厄貧乏則濟之，所至之處，仁風播揚，謂其「慈之宗」；叔豹惠澤廣施，輕財重義，常損己以利人，鄉中飢者得食、寒者得衣，皆賴其力，號曰「惠之主」；季貍和洽萬物，能解鄰里之隙、釋部族之爭，使上下和睦、內外無隙，人贊「和之樞」。堯依舜舉命八元巡行四方。伯奮居北，鎮幽州之境，拒共工餘孽，以忠固疆；仲堪處西，守三危之地，化三苗之民，以肅安邦；叔獻治東，理海岱之域，整飭吏治，以恭惠民；季仲居南，撫交趾之土，興教化，以懿導俗；伯虎巡中，掌五穀之種，教民耕播，以宣促農；仲熊遍歷鄉野，療民疾病，賑濟災荒，以慈恤民；叔豹主工，造舟車、制器物，以惠利民；季貍居中調和，聯萬國之情，弭諸侯之隙，以和定邦。八元各展其德，互補其能，如八星拱極，共輔天下。數載之間，蠻夷歸服，豪強斂跡，民知耕織，家有儲蓄，鄰里和睦，諸侯相親。天下之人，皆頌堯善任人，而感舜舉八元之德。後舜帝承堯，復任八元，使布五教於四方，其德益彰，流於後世。至今，民間傳八元之跡：北地有「忠勇石」，傳為伯奮所立；西境有「肅禮泉」，謂仲堪所導；東隅有「恭孝里」，乃叔獻所化；南疆有「懿德鄉」，季仲之遺風也。中原则有「宣農台」「慈惠祠」「和洽橋」，皆記伯虎、仲熊、叔豹、季貍之功。蓋八元以八德化世，非獨人傑，實乃天授賢才，佐華夏開泰，其功與日月同輝，其名與乾坤同久矣。昔舜遍寻天下贤士协尧辅政。察高辛氏八子，曰伯奋、仲堪、叔献、季仲、伯虎、仲熊、叔豹、季狸，天下谓之“八元”。其性秉灵秀，德合乾坤，各怀殊才，以淑世为任。伯奋怀赤心，忠贯日月，每临事则竭股肱之力，不避危殆，虽雷霆在前而色不变，人皆称其“忠之楷”;仲堪端方持重，肃以自处，接人待物必守礼度，行止无逾矩，见者皆敬，谓其“肃之范”; 叔献恭谨谦冲，事亲孝、事君敬，进退有度，未尝有傲色，乡邻赞其“恭之表”; 季仲懿行昭彰，修身励行，所言皆善，所行皆正，里闾化之，号曰“懿之则”; 伯虎明达宣畅，善察民情，能导民以理，每有壅滞，必力排之，使政令通达，人称“宣之使”;仲熊慈悯仁厚，见鳏寡孤独则恤之，遇困厄贫乏则济之，所至之处，仁风播扬，谓其“慈之宗”；叔豹惠泽广施，轻财重义，常损己以利人，乡中饥者得食、寒者得衣，皆赖其力，号曰“惠之主”；季狸和洽万物，能解邻里之隙、释部族之争，使上下和睦、内外无隙，人赞“和之枢”。尧依舜举命八元巡行四方。伯奋居北，镇幽州之境，拒共工余孽，以忠固疆；仲堪处西，守三危之地，化三苗之民，以肃安邦。叔献治东，理海岱之域，整饬吏治，以恭惠民；季仲居南，抚交趾之土，兴教化，以懿导俗;伯虎巡中，掌五谷之种，教民耕播，以宣促农；仲熊遍历乡野，疗民疾病，赈济灾荒，以慈恤民。叔豹主工，造舟车、制器物，以惠利民；季狸居中调和，联万国之情，弭诸侯之隙，以和定邦。八元各展其德，互补其能，如八星拱极，共辅天下。数载之间，蛮夷归服，豪强敛迹，民知耕织，家有储蓄，邻里和睦，诸侯相亲。天下之人，皆颂尧善任人，而感舜举八元之德。后舜帝承尧，复任八元，使布五教于四方，其德益彰，流于后世。至今，民间传八元之迹：北地有“忠勇石”，传为伯奋所立；西境有“肃礼泉”，谓仲堪所导；东隅有“恭孝里”，乃叔献所化；南疆有“懿德乡”，季仲之遗风也。中原则有“宣农台”“慈惠祠”“和洽桥”，皆记伯虎、仲熊、叔豹、季狸之功。盖八元以八德化世，非独人杰，实乃天授贤才，佐华夏开泰，其功与日月同辉，其名与乾坤同久矣。
舜举荐八元
舜四处寻访天下贤能之士，协助尧帝处理国家政务。他考察到高辛氏的八个儿子，分别是伯奋、仲堪、叔献、季仲、伯虎、仲熊、叔豹、季狸，天下人都称他们为“八元”。这八人天性聪慧灵秀，品德与天地之道相合，各自怀有非凡的才能，以匡正世道、造福百姓为己任。伯奋心怀赤诚，忠诚之心可贯通日月，每当遇到事务，必定竭尽全力，不畏惧危险，即便是雷霆在眼前（比喻极端危险的情况）也面不改色，人们都称他为“忠诚的楷模”；仲堪品行端正、稳重自持，始终以严肃的态度约束自身，与人交往、待人接物必定遵守礼仪法度，言行举止从无逾越规矩之处，见到他的人都心怀敬重，称他为“庄重的典范”；叔献为人恭敬谨慎、谦逊平和，侍奉父母孝顺，辅佐君主恭敬，进退举止合乎礼法，从未有过傲慢的神色，乡邻都称赞他为“恭顺的表率”；季仲的美好德行鲜明显著，他修养身心、勉励品行，所说的话都是善言，所做的事都是正道，乡里百姓都受到他的感化，称他为“美德的准则”；伯虎通达事理、善于沟通，能敏锐体察百姓的需求，能用道理引导民众，每当政令推行遇到阻碍，他必定竭力排除，让政令顺利传达执行，人们称他为“宣导的使者”；仲熊仁慈怜悯、宽厚待人，看到无妻无夫、无父无母、无依无靠的人，就会体恤他们；遇到处境艰难、生活贫困的人，就会救济他们，他所到之处，仁爱的风气四处传播，人们称他为“仁慈的宗师”；叔豹广施恩惠，轻视财物、重视道义，常常牺牲自己的利益来帮助他人，乡里中饥饿的人能得到食物、寒冷的人能得到衣物，都依靠他的力量，人们称他为“恩惠的主人”；季狸善于调和万物关系，能化解邻里间的矛盾、消除部族间的争斗，让上下关系和睦、内外没有隔阂，人们称赞他为“和谐的核心”。尧帝依照舜的举荐，下令让八元巡视天下四方。伯奋驻守北方，镇守幽州地区，抵御共工的残余势力，凭借忠诚巩固边疆；仲堪驻守西方，防守三危地区，教化三苗的百姓，凭借庄重安定邦国；叔献治理东方，管理渤海、泰山一带的地域，整顿官吏治理，凭借恭顺造福百姓；季仲驻守南方，安抚交趾地区，兴办教育教化，凭借美德引导风俗；伯虎巡视中原，掌管五谷的种子，教导百姓耕种播种，凭借宣导促进农业发展；仲熊走遍乡村田野，医治百姓疾病，救济灾荒，凭借仁慈体恤民众；叔豹主管手工业，制造船只车辆、制作器物用具，凭借恩惠便利百姓；季狸在朝中负责调和，联结各国的感情，消除诸侯间的隔阂，凭借和谐安定国家。八元各自施展自己的品德，互补彼此的才能，就像八颗星辰环绕北极星一样，共同辅佐天下治理。几年之间，边远地区的部族纷纷归附，强横暴虐之人收敛行迹，百姓掌握了耕种纺织的技能，家家户户都有了积蓄，邻里之间和睦相处，诸侯之间亲密交好。天下百姓，都称颂尧帝善于任用人才，也感激舜举荐八元的恩德。后来舜帝继承尧帝的帝位，再次任用八元，让他们到天下四方推行“五教”（即父义、母慈、兄友、弟恭、子孝五种伦理教化），八元的品德更加彰显，流传到后世。直到如今，民间还流传着八元的事迹：北方有“忠勇石”，传说为伯奋所立；西方有“肃礼泉”，相传是仲堪疏导而成；东方有“恭孝里”，是叔献教化百姓形成的村落；南方有“懿德乡”，保留着季仲流传下来的风尚。中原地区则有“宣农台”“慈惠祠”“和洽桥”，这些都记载着伯虎、仲熊、叔豹、季狸的功绩。由此可见，八元以八种美德教化世人，他们不仅是人间的杰出人才，实际上更是上天赐予的贤能之人，辅佐华夏开启太平盛世，他们的功绩与日月同辉，他们的名声与天地共存。
Shun Recommending the Eight Yuan
Shun searched for virtuous and capable people across the land to assist Emperor Yao in handling state affairs. He identified eight sons of Gaoxin: Bofen, Zhongkan, Shuxian, Jizhong, Bohu, Zhongxiong, Shubao, and Jili. The people under heaven all called them the "Eight Yuan" (Eight Talented Men). These eight men were inherently intelligent and virtuous, their moral character aligning with the principles of heaven and earth. Each possessed extraordinary abilities and took it as their mission to rectify the world and benefit the people.Bofen was sincere, his loyalty able to reach the sun and moon. Whenever he tackled a task, he would do his utmost without fearing danger—even when facing thunder (a metaphor for extreme peril), he remained calm. People called him the "Model of Loyalty." Zhongkan was upright and composed, always restraining himself with solemnity. In interactions and dealings with others, he strictly followed etiquette and rules, never overstepping boundaries in words or deeds. Those who met him held him in respect, calling him the "Paragon of Dignity." Shuxian was reverent, cautious, and modest. He was filial to his parents, respectful to his sovereign, and his actions conformed to ritual norms, never showing arrogance. Neighbors praised him as the "Example of Deference." Jizhong’s virtuous conduct was remarkable: he cultivated his mind, strove to improve his character, spoke only kind words, and acted only in the right way. The villagers around him were influenced by him, calling him the "Criterion of Virtue." Bohu was sensible and skilled in communication. He could keenly perceive the people’s needs and guide them with reason. Whenever government decrees faced obstacles in implementation, he would do his best to remove them and ensure smooth enforcement. People called him the "Messenger of Advocacy." Zhongxiong was compassionate and generous. He showed sympathy to those who were unmarried, orphaned, or helpless; he aided those living in hardship and poverty. Wherever he went, the atmosphere of benevolence spread, and people called him the "Master of Kindness." Shubao was generous with favors, valuing justice over wealth. He often sacrificed his own interests to help others—hungry villagers got food and cold ones got clothing, all thanks to him. People called him the "Giver of Grace." Jili was good at reconciling relationships: he resolved conflicts between neighbors and ended disputes among tribes, fostering harmony between superiors and subordinates and eliminating estrangement inside and outside. People praised him as the "Core of Harmony."Following Shun’s recommendation, Emperor Yao ordered the Eight Yuan to inspect all four corners of the world. Bofen guarded the north, stationed in Youzhou to resist the remaining forces of Gonggong and consolidate the border with his loyalty. Zhongkan defended the west, stationed in Sanwei to educate the people of the Sanmiao tribe and stabilize the state with his dignity. Shuxian governed the east, managing the regions around the Bohai Sea and Mount Tai, rectifying official administration, and benefiting the people with his deference. Jizhong guarded the south, comforting the Jiaozhi area, promoting education, and guiding local customs with his virtue. Bohu patrolled the Central Plains, overseeing grain seeds, teaching the people farming and sowing, and advancing agriculture with his advocacy. Zhongxiong traveled through villages and fields, treating the people’s illnesses and relieving famines, showing compassion for the people with his kindness. Shubao took charge of handicrafts, making boats, carts, and tools to facilitate the people with his grace. Jili mediated in the court, connecting the sentiments of various states and eliminating estrangement between feudal lords to stabilize the country with his talent for harmony. The Eight Yuan exerted their respective virtues and complemented each other’s abilities, like eight stars orbiting the North Star, jointly assisting in governing the world.Within a few years, remote tribes surrendered one after another, tyrannical people restrained their behavior, the people mastered farming and weaving skills, every household had savings, neighbors lived in harmony, and feudal lords maintained friendly relations. All people under heaven praised Emperor Yao for his wise employment of talents and were grateful to Shun for recommending the Eight Yuan. Later, when Emperor Shun ascended to the throne after Yao, he reused the Eight Yuan, sending them to promote the "Five Teachings" (the five ethical principles: righteousness for fathers, kindness for mothers, friendliness for elder brothers, respect for younger brothers, and filial piety for sons) across the land. The virtues of the Eight Yuan became even more prominent and were passed down to later generations.To this day, the stories of the Eight Yuan still circulate among the people: there is the "Loyalty and Bravery Stone" in the north, said to have been erected by Bofen; the "Propriety Spring" in the west,相传 to have been dredged by Zhongkan; the "Deference and Filial Piety Village" in the east, a village shaped by Shuxian’s education of the people; and the "Virtue Township" in the south, preserving the traditions handed down by Jizhong. In the Central Plains, there are the "Agricultural Advocacy Platform," "Compassion Shrine," and "Harmony Bridge"—all recording the achievements of Bohu, Zhongxiong, Shubao, and Jili. It is evident that the Eight Yuan educated the world with their eight virtues. They were not only outstanding talents among mortals but also virtuous beings bestowed by heaven. They assisted the Chinese nation in ushering in a prosperous era; their merits shine as brightly as the sun and moon, and their fame endures with heaven and earth.
八元布德泽贤能安天下——舜举荐八元传说的精神价值与文化自信内核
舜举荐“八元”的传说，作为中华创世神话中彰显尚贤文化与德治理念的重要篇章，以八位贤士各展其能、共治天下的叙事，为中华民族世界观、人生观、价值观的建构注入了崇德尚贤、协和共济的精神力量，更成为夯实民族文化自信的深厚根基。从世界观来看，这则传说勾勒出“贤才辅政、天下大同”的认知底色。舜不拘一格寻访举荐高辛氏八子，依据八人不同的德才禀赋分遣四方，让忠诚者守边疆、庄重者化远民、恭顺者理吏治、仁德者济苍生，将贤能之才与治国理政的需求精准匹配，彰显出“人尽其才、各展所长”的理政智慧。这种以贤辅政、以德化民的思维模式，奠定了中华民族“尚贤使能、协和万邦”的世界观基石，印证了“为政之要，惟在得人”的朴素真理。在人生观层面，“八元”的事迹诠释了“修德立身、济世安民”的人生追求。伯奋临危不惧以身许国，仲堪守礼持正垂范世人，叔献恭谨孝悌教化乡里，季仲修德立身感化风俗……八位贤士皆以自身德行作为立身之本，又将个人之才用于造福百姓、安定社稷。而舜帝以慧眼识才、诚心举贤的作为，更彰显出“为国荐贤、公而忘私”的担当。这种“修己以安人”的人生选择，为中华民族树立了“以德立身、以才济世”的人生标杆，让“修身立德、兼济天下”的信念融入民族血脉。于价值观维度，这则传说凝练出“崇德尚贤、选贤与能”的价值内核。传说将忠诚、庄重、恭顺、仁德等美德作为贤才的核心标准，更以八元分治四方、共治天下的实践，证明了贤能之士对于安定社稷的重要意义；舜帝不问出身举荐贤才、量才任用的举措，进一步凸显了“任人唯贤”的价值取向。这种重德尚贤、人尽其才的价值准则，构建了中华民族以贤能治理国家、以美德教化万民的道德体系，成为维系社会秩序与文明赓续的精神纽带。在文化自信的建构中，舜举荐八元的传说有着不可替代的独特意义。其一，它以具象化的贤才群像与理政实践，印证了中华德治文化与尚贤传统的源远流长，忠勇石、肃礼泉、恭孝里等留存的传说遗迹，更让上古贤能文化有了可触可感的地域依托，彰显了中华文明的深厚底蕴；其二，传说中蕴含的尚贤理念、德治思想与共治智慧，历经数千年依然与当代社会“人才强国”“以德治国”的发展理念同频共振，凸显出中华优秀传统文化超越时空的强大生命力；其三，“八元”所代表的贤德精神与舜帝的举贤担当，早已成为凝聚海内外中华儿女的文化符号，成为向世界展示中华文明理政智慧与道德追求的重要载体，让民族文化自信拥有了坚实的历史底气与精神支撑。八元的德泽跨越千年，尚贤的精神薪火相传。这则古老传说所承载的崇德尚贤理念，正持续塑造着中华民族的精神品格，为我们在新时代广纳贤才、践行德治、坚定文化自信注入不竭动力。
The Eight Worthies Bestow Virtuous Benefits, Worthy Talents Stabilize the World — The Spiritual Value and Cultural Confidence Core of the Legend of Shun Recommending the Eight Worthies
The legend of Shun recommending "the Eight Worthies", as an important chapter in Chinese creation myths that embodies the culture of respecting the virtuous and the concept of rule by virtue, with its narrative of eight virtuous scholars each exerting their talents to govern the world jointly, infuses the construction of the Chinese nation’s world outlook, outlook on life and values with the spiritual power of upholding virtue, respecting the virtuous and collaborating in harmony. It also serves as a profound foundation for consolidating national cultural confidence.From the perspective of world outlook, this legend outlines the cognitive foundation characterized by "virtuous talents assisting governance and achieving universal harmony". Shun sought and recommended the eight sons of Gaoxin without sticking to conventions, and dispatched them to different regions according to their respective moral integrity and talents: assigning the loyal to defend the borderlands, the dignified to civilize the distant people, the respectful and obedient to manage official administration, and the benevolent to relieve the common people. He accurately matched virtuous and capable talents with the needs of state governance, demonstrating the governance wisdom of "making the best of everyone’s talents and allowing each to develop their strengths". This mode of thinking that relies on the virtuous to assist governance and educates the people with virtue laid the cornerstone of the Chinese nation’s world outlook of "respecting and employing the virtuous and capable, and reconciling all nations", confirming the simple truth that "the essential of governance lies in obtaining talents".At the level of outlook on life, the deeds of "the Eight Worthies" interpret the life pursuit of "cultivating virtue to establish oneself and benefiting the world to stabilize the people". Bo Fen faced dangers fearlessly and dedicated himself to the country; Zhong Kan abided by rituals and upheld integrity, setting an example for the world; Shu Xian was respectful and filial, educating the villagers; Ji Zhong cultivated virtue to establish himself, influencing social customs... Each of the eight virtuous scholars took their own moral conduct as the foundation of their life, and applied their personal talents to benefiting the people and stabilizing the state. Moreover, Shun’s act of discerning talents with a discerning eye and recommending the virtuous with sincerity further demonstrated the responsibility of "recommending the virtuous for the country and putting the public good above personal interests". This life choice of "cultivating oneself to bring peace to others" set a life benchmark of "establishing oneself with virtue and benefiting the world with talents" for the Chinese nation, embedding the belief of "cultivating one’s moral character and benefiting the whole world" into the national blood.In the dimension of values, this legend condenses the value core of "upholding virtue and respecting the virtuous, selecting and appointing the virtuous and capable". The legend regards virtues such as loyalty, dignity, respectfulness, and benevolence as the core criteria for virtuous talents. Furthermore, the practice of the Eight Worthies governing different regions and administering the country jointly proves the important significance of virtuous and capable people for stabilizing the state. Shun’s measures of recommending talents regardless of their background and appointing them according to their abilities further highlight the value orientation of "appointing people based on their merits". This value criterion of emphasizing virtue and respecting the virtuous, and making the best of everyone’s talents has constructed the moral system of the Chinese nation that governs the country with virtuous and capable people and educates the people with virtues, becoming a spiritual bond that maintains social order and the continuity of civilization.In the construction of cultural confidence, the legend of Shun recommending the Eight Worthies holds irreplaceable unique significance. First, through the concrete group portrait of virtuous talents and their governance practice, it confirms the long-standing tradition of the rule-by-virtue culture and the respect for the virtuous in Chinese civilization. The preserved legendary relics such as the Loyalty and Courage Stone, the Propriety-abiding Spring and the Respect and Filial Piety Village have further endowed the ancient culture of virtue and talent with a tangible regional support, highlighting the profound heritage of Chinese civilization. Second, the concept of respecting the virtuous, the thought of rule by virtue and the wisdom of co-governance contained in the legend still resonate with the development concepts of "strengthening the country through talents" and "governing the country with virtue" in contemporary society after thousands of years, demonstrating the powerful timeless vitality of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Third, the virtuous spirit represented by "the Eight Worthies" and Shun’s responsibility of recommending the virtuous have long become a cultural symbol uniting Chinese people at home and abroad, serving as an important carrier for showing the governance wisdom and moral pursuit of Chinese civilization to the world, and endowing national cultural confidence with a solid historical foundation and spiritual support.The virtuous benefits of the Eight Worthies have transcended thousands of years, and the spirit of respecting the virtuous has been passed down from generation to generation. The concept of upholding virtue and respecting the virtuous carried by this ancient legend continues to shape the spiritual character of the Chinese nation, injecting inexhaustible motivation for us to recruit virtuous talents extensively, practice rule by virtue and strengthen cultural confidence in the new era.（此文编著者系北京德成经济研究院城市规划研究中心高级研究员赵宪尧，赵丽元）
