在一般人的意识里,上法院是件极不光彩的事情,许多人常以一生都没有进过一次法院而引以为荣。其实上法院不一定在道德、人格上有什么问题,不应该都感到羞耻。中国人对法的传统理解是法等于刑。法律只被看作是维持公共治安的工具,是“王法”。加强法制,常常被认为是加强对人们的管制。西方人对法的传统理解是法等于权利。 In ordinary people’s minds, the court is a shameful thing. Many people often pride themselves on not going to court once in a lifetime. In fact, the court may not be ashamed of any moral or personal problems. The Chinese traditional understanding of law is that law equals punishment. Law is only seen as a tool to maintain public order, is the “law of the land.” Strengthening the rule of law is often considered to strengthen people’s control. Westerners’ traditional understanding of law is that law equals rights.