内忧外患 Internal troubles and external threats
Explanation
内忧外患指的是国家内部的不安定和外部的侵略或威胁的并存状态。它可以用来形容一个国家或一个人的处境,表示面临着来自内部和外部的双重压力。
Neiyou Waihuan refers to the coexistence of internal instability and external aggression or threats in a country. It can be used to describe the situation of a country or a person, indicating that they are facing double pressure from both inside and outside.
Origin Story
春秋时期,鲁国国力衰弱,国内权臣争斗不休,民不聊生,国库空虚。同时,周边诸侯虎视眈眈,随时可能发动侵略战争。鲁定公忧心忡忡,他召集大臣商议对策。大臣们各抒己见,有的主张加强军队,有的主张与邻国结盟,有的主张发展经济,但这些建议都难以解决鲁国面临的内忧外患的困境。这时,一位名叫孔子的贤人来到了鲁国,他向鲁定公分析了鲁国的现状,指出鲁国之所以陷入内忧外患的局面,是因为统治者昏庸无能,政治腐败,国政混乱。孔子建议鲁定公实行仁政,以德治国,整顿吏治,加强与周边国家的友好关系,化解外部威胁。同时,他还建议鲁定公重用贤才,发展经济,改善民生,稳定国内局势。鲁定公采纳了孔子的建议,经过多年的努力,鲁国的内忧外患得到缓解,国力逐渐强大起来。
During the Spring and Autumn period, the state of Lu was weak, its internal powerful ministers constantly fought, the people lived a miserable life, and the national treasury was empty. At the same time, the surrounding feudal lords were eyeing Lu, and they could launch an aggressive war at any time. The Duke Ding of Lu was worried, so he summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures. The ministers expressed their opinions, some suggesting strengthening the army, some suggesting forming alliances with neighboring countries, and some suggesting developing the economy, but these suggestions were difficult to solve the dilemma of internal and external troubles facing Lu. At this time, a wise man named Confucius came to Lu. He analyzed the current situation of Lu to Duke Ding, pointing out that the reason why Lu was in such a situation was that the rulers were incompetent and the politics were corrupt and chaotic. Confucius suggested that Duke Ding implement a benevolent government, govern the country with morality, rectify the administration, and strengthen friendly relations with surrounding countries to alleviate external threats. At the same time, he also suggested that Duke Ding reuse talents, develop the economy, improve people's livelihood, and stabilize the domestic situation. Duke Ding adopted Confucius' suggestions, and after years of hard work, the internal and external troubles of Lu were alleviated, and the national power gradually became stronger.
Usage
内忧外患通常用来形容国家或个人同时面临内部和外部的困难局面。在国家层面,它指代国内的政治、经济或社会问题以及来自外部的战争、侵略或其他威胁;在个人层面,它可以指个人的健康、家庭、事业等方面同时出现问题。
Neiyou Waihuan is usually used to describe the difficult situation a country or individual faces simultaneously with both internal and external difficulties. At the national level, it refers to domestic political, economic, or social problems, and external wars, invasions, or other threats; at the individual level, it can refer to problems in an individual's health, family, career, etc. at the same time.
Examples
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面对内忧外患的局面,政府采取了积极的应对措施。
miàn duì nèi yōu wài huàn de júmiàn, zhèngfǔ cǎiqǔle jījí de yìngduì cuòshī
Faced with internal strife and external threats, the government took active countermeasures.
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这个公司正经历着内忧外患的困境,面临着倒闭的风险。
zhège gōngsī zhèng jīnglìzhe nèi yōu wài huàn de kùnjìng, miànlínzhe dǎobì de fēngxiǎn
The company is experiencing internal turmoil and external threats and is facing the risk of bankruptcy.