The present paper gives a systematic account of the concept of virtue represented by de 德 in the “Book of Changes.” It starts with a short summary of the impact of this concept on later Song dynasty philosophy. In this traditional view, “virtue” is considered to be a natural entity which contains intrinsic dynamics. This naturalistic view of morality is later contrasted with earlier notions of de or “virtue” in the canonized edition of the “Changes.” The paper first examines its meaning in the oracle sayings and then moves on to the “Traditions of the Changes,” Yizhuan 易傳. Placed in its own historical context, the concept of “virtue” goes together with ideas of destiny, political authority and spirit-like efficacy.

本文系统地阐述了德所代表的美德概念。 德在《易经》中。首先简要概述了这一概念对宋代后期哲学的影响。在这种传统观点中，“德”被认为是一种包含内在动力的自然实体。这种自然主义的道德观后来与早期版本的“变化”中的德或“美德”概念形成对比。本文首先考察了它在甲骨文中的含义，然后转向了《易传》、《易传》。 易传. 置于其自身的历史语境中，“德”的概念与命运、政治权威、神功等观念并存。