As two leading figures in modern Chinese literary criticism， Liang Shiqiu梁实秋 and Zhu Guangqian朱光潜 exhibit both convergence and divergence in their critical thought. Guided by liberal literary ideals， both critics attached great importance to traditional Chinese literature while actively engaging with and appropriating intellectual resources from abroad. In doing so， they made significant contribution to the transformation of modern Chinese literary criticism， while at the same time maintaining a critical awareness of the problems that emerged within the New Literature movement. Nevertheless， profound differences in their aesthetic horizons and epistemological attitudes led to divergent positions on key issues， including the relationship between literature and life morality， as well as the nature and status of beauty. Their attitudes toward new literary trends， cultural phenomena and critical methods diverged even more sharply. Liang Shiqiu’s thought is largely characterized by cultural conservatism， which often manifested itself in resistance to or rejection of aesthetic modernist art. By contrast， Zhu Guangqian adopted a more open and rational intellectual stance， demonstrating a greater capacity to respond to the changing currents of his time. In today’s new historical context， their literary criticism serves as a valuable case for drawing historical lessons and engaging in critical reflection on the development of modern Chinese literary thought.