《诗经》是诗而不是经。但它被冠以“经”,列作群经之首,为封建统治阶级所利用,这可以说是这部优秀诗集的厄运。作为优秀的文学作品,我们在欣赏《诗经》的过程中,必须撇开社会功利目的性,把它纳入审美系统来考察,才能发现其文学、美学价值。一切优秀的文学作品的艺术生命力在于它们能与不同时代、阶级、民族的读者取得直接 The Book of Songs is a poem rather than a scripture. However, it has been labeled “the Book of Songs” as the head of the group and used by the feudal ruling class, which can be said to be the doom of this excellent collection of poems. As an excellent literary work, in appreciation of The Book of Songs, we must put aside its aim of social utility and examine it in the aesthetic system to discover its value of literature and aesthetics. The artistic vitality of all outstanding literary works lies in their direct access to readers of different times, classes and ethnic groups