修身齐家治国平天下 xiū shēn qí jiā zhì guó píng tiān xià Cultivate oneself, order one's family, govern the state, and pacify the world

Explanation

这句格言出自《礼记·大学》，阐述了个人修养、家庭和睦、国家治理以及天下太平之间的内在联系，强调个人修养是基础，治国平天下是最终目标。

This maxim, originating from the "Book of Rites: Great Learning", illustrates the intrinsic connection between personal cultivation, family harmony, state governance, and universal peace, emphasizing that personal cultivation is the foundation, while governing the state and bringing peace to the world is the ultimate goal.

Origin Story

话说战国时期，一位名叫李白的青年饱读诗书，立志“修身齐家治国平天下”。他先从自身做起，认真学习儒家经典，勤练书法，为人谦逊有礼。待他学有所成后，便回到家乡，悉心照料父母，处理家族事务，使得家境殷实，家族和睦。而后，他投身官场，凭借过人的才干和正直的品行，逐渐步入仕途。他为民请命，兴修水利，发展农业，深受百姓爱戴。最终，他辅佐明君，促成国家统一，实现了“治国平天下”的理想。他的一生，正是“修身齐家治国平天下”的完美诠释。

shuō huà zhànguó shíqī, yī wèi míng jiào lǐ bái de qīngnián bǎodú shīshū, lìzhì “xiūshēn qíjiā zhìguó píng tiānxià”. tā xiān cóng zìshēn zuò qǐ, rènzhēn xuéxí rújiā jīngdiǎn, qín liàn shūfǎ, wéirén qiānxùn yǒulǐ. dài tā xuéyǒusuǒchéng hòu, biàn huítóu jiāxiāng, xīxīn zhàoliào fùmǔ, chǔlǐ jiāzú shìwù, shǐde jiā jìng yīnshí, jiāzú hému. érhòu, tā tóushēn guānchǎng, píngjiè guòrén de cáigàn hé zhèngzhí de pǐnxíng, zhújiàn bùrù shìtú. tā wèi mín qǐngmìng, xīngxiū shuǐlì, fāzhǎn nóngyè, shēnshòu bàixìng àidài. zuìzhōng, tā fǔzuò míngjūn, cùchéng guójiā tǒngyī, shíxiàn le “zhìguó píng tiānxià” de lǐxiǎng. tā de yīshēng, zhèngshì “xiūshēn qíjiā zhìguó píng tiānxià” de wánměi qiǎnshì.

During the Warring States period, a young man named Li Bai, well-versed in literature, aspired to "cultivate oneself, order one's family, govern the state, and pacify the world." He started with self-cultivation, diligently studying Confucian classics and practicing calligraphy, always humble and courteous. After completing his studies, he returned home to care for his parents and manage family affairs, leading to a prosperous and harmonious family. Then, he entered the government, rising through the ranks with his exceptional talent and integrity. He championed the people, initiated irrigation projects, and developed agriculture, earning the love of the common people. Ultimately, he assisted a wise ruler in unifying the country, realizing his ideal of "governing the state and pacifying the world." His life perfectly exemplifies "cultivating oneself, ordering one's family, governing the state, and pacifying the world."

Usage

这句格言常用于政治、教育、家庭等场合，用来强调个人修养的重要性，以及个人修养与国家治理之间的联系。

zhè jù géyán cháng yòng yú zhèngzhì, jiàoyù, jiātíng děng chǎnghé, yòng lái qiángdiào gèrén xiūyǎng de zhòngyào xìng, yǐjí gèrén xiūyǎng yǔ guójiā zhìlǐ zhī jiān de liánxì.

This maxim is often used in political, educational, and family settings to emphasize the importance of self-cultivation and the connection between personal cultivation and governance.

Examples

• 一个人要想成就一番事业，必须先修身齐家，才能治国平天下。

  yīgè rén yào xiǎng chéngjiù yīfān shìyè, bìxū xiān xiūshēn qíjiā, cáinéng zhìguó píng tiānxià.

  If one wants to achieve something, one must first cultivate oneself, manage one's family, then govern the state and bring peace to the world.

• 要治理好国家，必须从自身做起，修身齐家，才能更好地为国家服务。

  yào zhìlǐ hǎo guójiā, bìxū cóng zìshēn zuò qǐ, xiūshēn qíjiā, cáinéng gèng hǎo de wèi guójiā fúwù.

  To govern a country well, one must start with oneself, cultivate oneself and one's family, in order to better serve the country.

Related Idioms

• 修身养性

• 齐家治国

Opposite Idioms

• 纵情逸乐

• 荒废学业