狂狷与中行──简论清初“四僧”与“四王”人生、艺事的分流

康有为《论语注》认为：“盖学道,贵中行之资,刚柔兼备;而任道,则非志高气上者不能,虽有小偏,终有大成。”明末清初,“中”只能是短暂的不稳定状态,狂者、狷者与“退懦”是三种人生范式。四僧是狂狷之士,而四王则近于“中行”,前者以“甚深之思”、“过情之怨”创作,“虽有小偏,终有大成”,后者以“中行之资”尽付于画,却“因”多而“革”少。

Overbearingness and Impetuosity and the Doctrine of the Mean--A Study of the Diversity of the Life and Art of the "Four Monks" and the "Four Wangs"

K'ang Yu-wei in his Lun-yu chuthinks that some pepole to follow the doctrine of the mean while others choose to be ambitious and overbearing who are somewhat radical in words and action, but usually can achieve greater achievements. The "Four-monk" painters of the late Ming and Qing dynasty belong to the latter group who are creative in their artistic work. The"Four-Wang" painters are members of the former group who follow the tradition and are less creative in their artistic work.