“礼不必”是郑玄根据《仪礼》文本,准确把握和灵活运用儒家礼义思想而总结提出的礼学理论。该理论阐释了行礼过程中的一些“毋必”原则,包括三个层面的内容:第一,主人接待客人,不必知道客人必为某事而来,也不必期待客人必行某种相应的礼仪,主人首先谦恭行礼,即使内心对此已经晓明,仍然执礼询问,以示恭己敬人之意。第二,教授者示范礼仪程式,不必期待被教习者必须要统一学会,即使已知大家能够掌握,也依然保持预为示范的姿态,以备尚未知者。第三,臣下侍奉国君,虽知按礼规程当为如此,也不敢期待国君必行某事,而是跟随国君指令行事,以示不敢自明自专之意。如此做的目的,在于让对方充分感受到自己的恭敬与谦虚,愿将主动权交给对方,根据对方的指示而沟通交流或协商谋事。这一套礼仪做法及其内含的礼义精神,郑玄将其提炼概括为“礼不必”的原则。 “Ritual not” is a ritual theory summarized by Zheng Xuan according to the text of “ritual”, accurately grasping and flexibly using Confucian morality thoughts. The theory illustrates some of the principles of salute, including three levels of content: first, the host receives guests, do not have to know that guests will come for something, do not have to look forward to the guests must be somehow Of the manners, the first manners humble, even if the heart has been aware of this, still ritual inquiry, in order to show respect for Christine. Second, the professors should not expect the learners to learn to be unified even though they are known to all. However, they still maintain their pre-demonstration attitude for the unknown. Thirdly, when the minister went to serve the monarch, he did not dare to expect the monarch to do something, though he was aware of the rules of the ceremony. Instead, he acted in accordance with the orders of the monarch to show that he did not dare to clarify himself. The purpose of doing so is to let each other fully feel their respect and humility, and would like to give the initiative to each other, according to the instructions of the other party to communicate or negotiate and seek employment. This set of etiquette practices and its inclusion of the spirit of etiquette, Zheng Xuan will be summarized as “ritual not ” principle.