Simple in Diction yet Rich in Meaning

文辞简约而意蕴丰富。南朝刘勰指出这是儒家经书的共同特征，并以之作为文章写作的一般要求。言辞简约是紧密联系表意的要求而论的，在文章表意充分明了的前提下避免冗余的言辞；但是为了表意明了，便于读者理解接受，也不排除应当多方论说和描述，如《诗经》为了充分抒情而重章叠唱，但依然不失简约特征。“辞约而旨丰”一语亦用来指文艺作品以特殊手法来表现难以言说的情志，在不同读者那里可能产生多种多样的体会，即使是同一个读者也会带来丰富的感受。

The concept means the use of concise language that conveys ample implications. Liu Xie of the Southern Dynasties pointed out that this was a shared characteristic of the Confucian classics, and he also regarded it as a basic rule for writing in general. Simple diction is relative to the goal of expressing ideas — avoiding superfluous language as long as the message is fully communicated. At the same time, in order to make the meaning clearer and easier for readers to understand, it does not exclude sufficient discussions and descriptions, such as the use of repetitious lyrics to amplify emotional expression in The Book of Songs. The concept is also used to refer to employing special literary devices to express sentiments hard to describe with words, which may evoke varied responses from different readers, as well as arouse abundant feelings in the individual reader.

引例 Citations：

◎至根柢槃深，枝叶峻茂，辞约而旨丰，事近而喻远。是以往者虽旧，余味日新；后进追取而非晚，前修久用而未先，可谓太山遍雨，河润千里者也。（刘勰《文心雕龙·宗经》）

儒家经书犹如大树，根深蒂固，树干高峻而枝叶繁茂，文辞简约而意蕴丰富，记事平实而寓意深远。因此经书尽管古旧，但每天回味都能生发新的意义；后学追索探求永远不会嫌晚，前修长久运用也未必能够读透占先。经书的作用好比泰山之云让雨水遍洒大地，又如黄河之水滋润千里土地一样啊。

Confucian classics are like big trees with deep roots, tall and straight trunks and plentiful leaves. They are simple in diction yet rich in meaning, with profound implications in unadorned narration. That is why the classics, although being ancient, can bring out new meanings every day when being savored. It is never too late to explore them by later generations; earlier studies and longtime applications of them also would not mean complete understanding that leaves no room for other interpretations. The influence of the classics is comparable to clouds on top of the Taishan Mountain shedding rain to soak the earth, or to the water of the Yellow River moistening vast tracks of land. (Liu Xie: The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons)

◎客主有不通处，张乃遥于末坐判之，言约旨远，足畅彼我之怀，一坐皆惊。（刘义庆《世说新语·文学》）

主客双方出现不能沟通之处，张凭就远远地在末座加以分析评判，言语简要，含义深远，将双方的意思都清晰畅快地加以阐明，满座的宾客都为之震惊。

When the host and guests had difficulty communicating with one another, Zhang Ping would observe and offer his analysis and comments while seated at the far end of the gathering. His words, simple yet profound in implications, clearly and freely explained the meanings of both sides, which deeply impressed all the guests in attendance. (Liu Yiqing: A New Account of Tales of the World)