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出生、產生?！吧敝甘挛飶臒o到有的過程。古人大多認為，萬物從根源上說產生于自身之外的某種超越性的存在，如天、道、理、氣、無等。也有少數(shù)人認為，萬物是自生的，萬物之“生”不依賴于他者。經(jīng)由“生”的過程，萬物獲得了原初的屬性、功能及其存續(xù)所依循的規(guī)則。特別是對人與鳥獸草木等生物而言，“生”意味著獲得了生命。因此，“生”也有生命之義。這些與生俱來的屬性、功能、規(guī)則，對于萬物的存在狀態(tài)發(fā)揮著內在的影響，因此也構成了人們確立和維系生活秩序的依據(jù)以及不得不面對的因素。
Sheng (生), literally meaning "give birth" or "generate," describes the process of transformation from nonexistence to existence. In ancient times, many believed that all things in nature were generated from certain overarching dynamics of the cosmos, including tian (heaven), dao (the way), li (principles), qi (vital force), and wu (void); while some others believed that all things were selfgenerating, not dependent on external forces. During the process of sheng, all things acquire their initial qualities, functions, and procedures for continuation. For such creatures as humans, birds, beasts, and plants in particular, sheng signifies the attainment of life, making the word also synonymous with "life." The instinctive qualities, functions, and procedures resulting from sheng exert an inner influence on the existence of all things. These aspects constitute the basis on which people establish and maintain the order of their lives, as well as the factors they have to confront.
引例 Citations：
◎天生烝民，有物有則，民之秉彝，好是懿德。（《詩經(jīng)·大雅·烝民》）
上天降生眾民，有事物也有法則，民眾遵守普遍的法則，崇好這樣的美德。
The heaven gives birth to humans, provides them with goods and materials, and subjects them to rules. People obey universal rules. This is a kind of virtue to be upheld. (The Book of Songs)
◎道生之，德畜之。（《老子·五十一章》）
道生成萬物，德蓄養(yǎng)萬物。
Dao generates all things under the heaven, while de (virtue) nurtures them. (Laozi)
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
責任編輯：錢耐安
