《左傳》辭令之精采，世所傳誦，其中尤以外交辭令及議論論說之文，最令人擊節稱賞。列國君臣往來的外交辭令，如<宮之奇諫假道 (<僖五>)、<燭之武退秦師>（<僖三十>）等，溫文儒雅，機鋒四溢；論說之文，如<師曠論衛出君>（<襄十四>） 、<晏子論和同 >（<昭二十>）等，議論風發，警快透闢，都是膾炙人口的妙品。其他公言私語的聲情笑貌，也都曲盡其妙，堪稱春秋辭令的大宗。
《文心雕龍‧徵聖》云： 「鄭伯入陳，以文辭為功；宋置折俎，以多文舉禮。」 其中「入陳」 、 「折俎」之事，皆載之於《左傳》 ，又都與鄭國子產有關；子產為政，慎之以禮，敏於應對，嫻於辭令，其外交辭令入情入裡而又雍容典雅，折衝樽俎時，每每據「禮」言事，熟諳詩樂典章制度，徵引前代事例，侃侃而談，氣盛言宜，達到民和行遠的政治教化目的。
子產在外交方面的表現，不但能恪守揖讓周旋的儀節，更能言志專對，發揮君臣之義，的確是「樂只君子，邦家之基」 ，孔子及叔向均稱賞不已。孔子更以「子產獻捷于晉」為例，說明晉之稱霸、鄭之入陳，皆非文辭不為功；並引古書之言： 「言之無文，行而不遠」 ，闡發尚文重質的文學觀。左氏於<昭公廿六年>借閔馬父之口說： 「文辭以行禮」 ，批判周王子朝的文告巧辭邪說、違背禮義，此實用主義的觀點，可視為左氏致用的文學觀。本文即本此意旨，以子產之辭令為例，擇取<晉人徵朝于鄭>（<襄廿二>） 、<鄭子產獻捷于晉>（<襄廿五>） 、<子產壞晉館垣>（<襄三十一>） 、<晉韓起聘于鄭>（<昭十六>）四段傳文，加以賞析論述，試為闡發子產之辭令與禮的關係，並申論左氏尚文致用的文學觀。

“Tso Chuan” has been highly merited in the world, of which its wonderful diplomatic speech accounts for the most praise. This paper focuses on several expressions by Tzuchan from Kingdom of Cheng for description and discussion.
Tzuchan is very intelligent with making responses in various occasions. In diplomatic occasions to subdue an enemy by diplomacy, his speech is often appropriate and conforming to the spirit of courtesy; he accomplishes this by quoting the laws and institutions as well as
systems related to rites and music, and history of the previous dynasties. He conducts himself with due confidence and composure, being fearless with the knowledge that he is on the side of justice. In the 25th year of Lu-Hsiangkung (548 B.C.), Kingdom of Cheng attacked Kingdom of Chen; Tzuchan successfully handled the relationships among three nations:
Kingdoms of Chin, Cheng and Chen. Confucius praised him for his appropriate use of expressions in dealing with the situation. Using expression logically and reasonably is not only a matter of personal wit, but concerns the rise or fall of a nation, therefore, speaking must be conducted accurately and courteously. According to “Tso Chuan,” in the 31st year of Lu-Hsiangkung (542 B.C.), Shuhsiang, a high official of the Kingdom of Chin, praised Tzuchan, whose eloquent use of expressions helped feudal princes gain advantages and led people to peace and harmony. This paper, with basis on this theme, expounds and promotes the relationship between Tzuchan’s use of expressions and courtesy, as well as explicates the practical literature concepts of “Tso Chuan”.