不同事物之間的和諧共處。古人認為，不同事物的共處及事物間穩定秩序的形成，不能通過消除事物之間的差異來實現，而應在尊重和保全個體差異的基礎上，尋求事物之間的和諧共處，這就叫“和”。在“和”的狀態下，不同事物可以發揮其各自的特質，相互補充、相互輔助，激發個體乃至整體的活力。

The ancient Chinese believed that coexistence of different things and a stable order among them could not be realized by eliminating their differences; such coexistence could be achieved only by seeking to get along in harmony on the basis of respecting and preserving individual differences. That is what is meant by "harmony." In such a way, different things can develop themselves while complementing each other, stimulating the vitality of both individuals and all.

引例 Citations：

◎夫和實生物，同則不繼。（《國語·鄭語》）

不同的事物相互調和而生成新的事物，只有相同的事物則難以有延續。

Harmony begets new things; while uniformity does not lead to continuation. (Discourses on Governance of the States)

◎君子和而不同，小人同而不和。（《論語·子路》）

君子與人和諧相處卻不會盲目附和，小人盲目附和而不能真正和諧相處。

A man of virtue pursues harmony but does not seek uniformity; a petty man seeks uniformity but does not pursue harmony. (The Analects)

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