戰國時期「德」之觀念統合並轉化了古典「德」之義涵，在思想史上具有重要意義。本文將透過戰國時期儒者對「德」之主張，思考其時「德」具有統合天、人的豐富義涵，其將原始天命具體化為禮文，並落實於修身實踐，同時也深刻牽動著心性、德行、倫理、教化等重要課題。本文首先說明得天命的重要象徵具體化為禮文。第二部分探討聖人如何體會天地之德，從而制作禮文。透過聞觀天文、天象、音律以確立時空秩序而展開修身以及教化等課題。再者，探討德之生化、流動性如何展現於意象、文、辭間，即比德與法行說。文中說明其時對於天地之德的領會不在於形上道體的探求或知識的興趣，而具體落實於人倫日用間，在「有與始無與終」的為學中，以達到比德為學、崇德廣業的理想。

This study explores the historical evolution and rich significance of the concept of virtue (de 德) prior to the Qin dynasty. It begins with an analysis of ancient literature, which reveals that virtue originated as a belief related to emperors and clan kinship, and that it only later came to be associated with Heaven. The crystallization of the concept of virtue is displayed in rites and music, where this previously symbolic idea became transformed into a practical norm. The article next examines the nature and significance of virtue and ritual by investigating how the sages experienced the virtue of Heaven and Earth and created rites and music through their observation of nature. In addition, the article investigates how the sages learned about the “rhythm” of Heaven and Earth, how they expressed this rhythm in the form of music, and how they used music to interpret the virtue of Heaven and Earth. Finally, the article analyzes how virtue continued to evolve and change in Confucian philosophy, and how the understanding of the virtue of Heaven and Earth shifted from the exploration of the laws of the world to being incorporated into people’s daily affairs, ultimately becoming a revered ideal.