持盈保泰 chí yíng bǎo tài Hold fullness to protect peace

Explanation

持盈保泰，意思是保持充实的状态，维护平安的状态。比喻在富贵极盛的时候要小心谨慎，避免灾祸，以保持住原来的地位。体现了居安思危，防患于未然的思想。

The idiom "holding fullness to protect peace" means maintaining a state of fullness and security. It is a metaphor for being cautious and prudent in times of great wealth and prosperity to avoid disaster and maintain one's position. It reflects the idea of being prepared for danger and preventing problems before they arise.

Origin Story

话说唐朝时期，有个宰相名叫张九龄，他为人正直，勤政爱民。多年来，他励精图治，使得国家繁荣昌盛，百姓安居乐业。然而，张九龄并没有因此而骄傲自满，反而更加小心谨慎，时刻提醒自己要居安思危。他常常告诫自己的家人和官员们：‘盛极必衰，人无远虑，必有近忧。’他深知，一个人的成功和一个国家的繁荣，都是来之不易的，需要我们不断努力，持盈保泰。他将国家的钱财用在发展经济、修建水利、赈灾济民等方面，从不贪图享乐。张九龄的勤政爱民，使得唐朝的盛世更加辉煌，他的持盈保泰的作风，也成为了后人学习的榜样。

huà shuō táng cháo shí qī, yǒu gè zǎi xiàng míng jiào zhāng jiǔ líng, tā wéi rén zhèng zhí, qín zhèng ài mín. duō nián lái, tā lì jīng tú zhì, shǐ de guó jiā fán róng chāng shèng, bǎi xìng ān jū lè yè. rán ér, zhāng jiǔ líng bìng méi yǒu yīn cǐ ér jiāo ào zì mǎn, fǎn ér gèng jiā xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn, shí kè tí xǐng zì jǐ yào jū ān sī wēi. tā cháng cháng gào jiè zì jǐ de jiā rén hé guān yuán men: ‘shèng jí bì shuāi, rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu.’ tā shēn zhī, yī gè rén de chéng gōng hé yī gè guó jiā de fán róng, dōu shì lái zhī bù yì de, xū yào wǒ men bù duàn nǔ lì, chí yíng bǎo tài. tā jiāng guó jiā de qián cái yòng zài fā zhǎn jīng jì, xiū jiàn shuǐ lì, zhèn zāi jì mín děng fāng miàn, cóng bù tān tú xiǎng lè. zhāng jiǔ líng de qín zhèng ài mín, shǐ de táng cháo de shèng shì gèng jiā huī huáng, tā de chí yíng bǎo tài de zuò fēng, yě chéng le hòu rén xué xí de bǎng yàng.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a chancellor named Zhang Jiuling, known for his integrity and diligence. For many years, he governed diligently, leading to national prosperity and the well-being of his people. Yet, Zhang Jiuling did not become complacent; he remained humble and always warned of the dangers of success. He often cautioned his family and officials: 'What blooms excessively, eventually withers. Those without foresight will soon have worries.' He understood that success and prosperity are hard-earned and require constant effort and caution. He used state funds for economic development, water conservancy, and disaster relief, never seeking personal enjoyment. Zhang Jiuling’s diligent rule and his humble demeanor made the Tang Dynasty's golden age even more glorious, setting a great example for future generations.

Usage

多用于形容一个人在取得成功后，仍能保持谦虚谨慎，不骄不躁的态度。

duō yòng yú xíng róng yī gè rén zài qǔ dé chéng gōng hòu, réng néng bǎo chí qiān xū jǐn shèn, bù jiāo bù zào de tài du

Often used to describe someone who remains humble and modest even after achieving success.

Examples

• 居安思危，才能持盈保泰。

  jū ān sī wēi, cái néng chí yíng bǎo tài

  We should always be prepared for danger in times of peace to maintain stability.

• 他功成名就之后，依然能持盈保泰，不骄不躁。

  tā gōng chéng míng jiù zhī hòu, yī rán néng chí yíng bǎo tài, bù jiāo bù zào

  Even after his success, he remained humble and managed the ups and downs of life.

Related Idioms

• 居安思危

• 防患于未然

Opposite Idioms

• 骄奢淫逸

• 挥霍浪费