居安思危 jū ān sī wēi to be prepared for danger in times of peace

Explanation

指在平安时期也要想到可能发生的危险,提前做好准备。

It means that even in times of peace, one should think of possible dangers and prepare for them in advance.

Origin Story

春秋时期,晋国、宋国等十二国联合攻打郑国,郑国向晋国求和,并献上大量财宝和美女。晋悼公因此沉迷享乐,大臣魏绛劝谏他居安思危,晋悼公采纳了建议,加强了国防建设,最终避免了更大的灾难。这个故事告诉我们,即使在和平时期也要有忧患意识,时刻准备应对可能出现的挑战。

chūnqiū shíqī, jìn guó, sòng guó děng shí'èr guó liánhé gōng dǎ zhèng guó, zhèng guó xiàng jìn guó qiú hé, bìng xiàn shàng dàliàng cáibǎo hé měinǚ. jìn dào gōng yīncǐ chénmí xiǎnglè, chén shì wèi jiàng quàn jiàn tā jū ān sī wēi, jìn dào gōng cǎinà le jiànyì, jiāqiáng le guófáng jiànshè, zuìzhōng bìmiǎn le gèng dà de zāinàn. zhège gùshì gàosù wǒmen, jíshǐ zài hépíng shíqī yě yào yǒu yōuhuàn yìshí, shíkè zhǔnbèi yìngduì kěnéng chūxiàn de tiǎozhàn.

During the Spring and Autumn period, the Jin state, Song state, and eleven other states joined forces to attack the Zheng state. Zheng sued for peace and offered a large amount of treasures and beautiful women. Duke Dao of Jin became addicted to pleasure, but his minister Wei Jiang advised him to think about danger even when he was at peace. Duke Dao accepted the advice and strengthened national defense, thereby preventing greater disasters. The story tells us that even in times of peace, we should have an awareness of danger and be always ready to deal with potential challenges.

Usage

用于劝诫人们要居安思危,时刻准备应对风险。

yòng yú quànjiè rénmen yào jū ān sī wēi, shíkè zhǔnbèi yìngduì fēngxiǎn.

It is used to urge people to always be prepared for danger, even when they are at peace.

Examples

  • 居安思危,才能避免灾祸。

    jū ān sī wēi, cái néng bìmiǎn zāihòu

    Be prepared for danger in times of peace.

  • 我们必须居安思危,才能在未来的竞争中立于不败之地。

    wǒmen bìxū jū ān sī wēi, cái néng zài wèilái de jìngzhēng zhōng lì yú bùbài zhī dì

    We must always be prepared for danger even when we are in a safe position.

  • 国家发展至今,我们更要居安思危,未雨绸缪。

    guójiā fāzhǎn zhì jīn, wǒmen gèng yào jū ān sī wēi, wèiyǔchóuméi

    Now that the country has developed to this point, we must even more be prepared for danger and make plans in advance of unforeseen events