明哲保身 Mingzhe Baoshen
Explanation
明哲保身是一个成语，指的是聪明人善于保护自己，避免受到伤害。现代社会中，明哲保身常指为了自身利益而回避原则斗争，缺乏正义感和社会责任感。
Mingzhe Baoshen is a Chinese idiom meaning 'to be wise and protect oneself'. It refers to the ability of a wise person to protect themselves from harm. In modern society, Mingzhe Baoshen often refers to the act of avoiding principled struggles for one's own interests, lacking a sense of justice and social responsibility.
Origin Story
在战国时期，有个叫晏婴的齐国大臣，以聪明才智闻名于世。有一天，齐景公派晏婴出使到楚国，楚王为了羞辱晏婴，故意派了一位长相丑陋的侍卫站在晏婴的身边。 楚王问晏婴：“你们齐国难道没有美男子了吗？怎么派你来，却带了这么一个丑陋的侍卫？”晏婴不慌不忙地回答：“我听说，使者到了别的国家，要体现出本国的风土人情，所以，我带了一个丑陋的侍卫，是为了告诉楚王，齐国人没有像楚国这样，以貌取人。” 楚王被晏婴巧妙的回答给逗笑了，也因此对晏婴刮目相看。 晏婴在出使过程中，面对楚王各种刁难，都能机智应对，既不失国格，又不失个人气度，最终圆满完成任务。 晏婴的明哲保身，并非是懦弱和无能的表现，而是为了更好的维护国家利益，实现外交目标。 他懂得以退为进，以柔克刚的道理，最终取得了成功。
During the Warring States Period, there was a wise and capable minister named Yan Ying from the State of Qi. He was renowned for his intelligence and wit. One day, King Jing Gong of Qi sent Yan Ying as an envoy to the State of Chu. The King of Chu, hoping to humiliate Yan Ying, intentionally assigned a hideous guard to stand by his side. The King of Chu asked Yan Ying: “Are there no handsome men in your State of Qi? Why did you send you with such an ugly guard?” Yan Ying remained calm and answered, “I have heard that when envoys arrive in other countries, they should represent the customs and manners of their own land. So, I brought an ugly guard to show the King of Chu that we in Qi are not as superficial as Chu, where people judge based on appearances.” The King of Chu was amused by Yan Ying’s clever answer and developed a newfound respect for him. During his mission, Yan Ying faced various challenges from the King of Chu, but he always responded with wit and intelligence, never compromising the dignity of his country or his own composure. He successfully completed his task. Yan Ying’s Mingzhe Baoshen was not a sign of weakness or incompetence, but a strategy to better protect the interests of his country and achieve his diplomatic goals. He understood the art of retreating to advance and overcoming strength with gentleness. He ultimately achieved success.
Usage
明哲保身是一个中性词，它可以用来形容一个人在复杂的社会环境中保护自己，但也可能被用来批评一个人缺乏正义感和社会责任感。
Mingzhe Baoshen is a neutral term. It can be used to describe someone who is protecting themselves in a complex social environment, but it can also be used to criticize someone who lacks a sense of justice and social responsibility.
Examples
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在明争暗斗的官场中，他始终保持低调，明哲保身，才能安稳度过岁月。
zai ming zheng an dou de guan chang zhong, ta shi zhong bao chi di diao, ming zhe bao shen, cai neng an wen du guo sui yue.
In the cutthroat world of politics, he always kept a low profile, playing it safe to avoid trouble and ensure a comfortable life.
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面对复杂的社会环境，他选择了明哲保身，远离是非，平静生活。
mian dui fu za de she hui huan jing, ta xuan ze le ming zhe bao shen, yuan li shi fei, ping jing sheng huo.
Faced with the complexities of society, he chose to stay out of trouble and live a peaceful life.