正心诚意 Upright Heart, Sincere Intent
Explanation
正心诚意,出自《大学》。“大学之道,在明明德,在亲民,在止于至善”。正心诚意是实现“明明德”的重要步骤。正心,就是使自己的内心端正;诚意,就是使自己的意念真诚。儒家认为,人的内心是复杂的,有善有恶,正心诚意就是通过修炼,使自己的内心趋向于善。正心诚意不仅是一种修养方法,更是一种生活态度。只有正心诚意,才能处理好各种人际关系,才能实现个人的道德修养。
Zhengxin Chengyi, originates from "The Great Learning." "The way of great learning consists in illuminating virtue, in loving the people, and in resting in the highest excellence." Zhengxin Chengyi is a crucial step in illuminating virtue. Zhengxin (正心) means to rectify one's heart, to make one's inner self upright. Chengyi (诚意) means to be sincere in one's intentions, to ensure that one's thoughts and actions are genuine and honest. Confucianism believes that the human heart is complex, containing both good and evil; Zhengxin Chengyi is the process of self-cultivation to guide one's inner self toward goodness. Zhengxin Chengyi is not just a method of self-cultivation, but also a life attitude. Only with Zhengxin Chengyi can one handle various interpersonal relationships well and achieve personal moral cultivation.
Origin Story
话说汉朝时期,有个叫张良的谋士,他辅佐刘邦建立了西汉王朝,他的成功并非偶然,他从小就注重自身的修养,时常告诫自己要正心诚意。有一次,张良外出办事,途中遇到一个贫困的老人,老人向他要钱,张良并没有因为老人的贫困而轻视他,而是诚心诚意地对待他,不仅给了老人一些钱,还主动帮助他找到了住所。老人非常感动,并称赞张良正心诚意,做人端正。这件事情让张良受益匪浅,他更加坚定了要正心诚意,做一个堂堂正正的人。后来,张良辅佐刘邦打天下,他总是以诚待人,不计较个人得失,最终帮助刘邦取得了胜利。他正心诚意,待人接物都非常真诚,即使面对强敌,也从不畏惧,他总是坚定自己的信念,最终他的人生目标达到了,为后世留下许多美好的品德。
During the Han Dynasty of ancient China, there was a strategist named Zhang Liang who assisted Liu Bang in establishing the Western Han Dynasty. His success was not accidental; he had placed great emphasis on self-cultivation since he was young. He often reminded himself to remain upright in heart and sincere in actions (zhengxin chengyi). Once, Zhang Liang was on a trip when he encountered a poor old man who asked him for money. Zhang Liang, instead of looking down upon the old man because of his poverty, treated him with sincerity and gave him not only some money but also helped him find a place to stay. The old man was deeply touched and praised Zhang Liang's upright heart and sincere actions. This incident made a deep impression on Zhang Liang, who became even more determined to live an upright and sincere life. Later, when he assisted Liu Bang in conquering the land, Zhang Liang always treated people with honesty, never considering personal gains and losses. Finally, he helped Liu Bang win the war. He remained steadfast in his beliefs, never afraid of even powerful enemies, and treated everyone with honesty and sincerity. This eventually led him to achieve his life goals and leave behind many fine virtues for future generations to learn from.
Usage
正心诚意常用于形容一个人心地端正、为人诚恳,多用于褒义。
Zhengxin Chengyi is often used to describe someone who is upright in heart and sincere in their actions, usually in a positive sense.
Examples
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他为人处世总是正心诚意,赢得了大家的尊重。
tā wéirén chǔshì zǒngshì zhèng xīn chéng yì, yíngdéle dàjiā de zūnjìng.
He always acts with integrity and sincerity, earning everyone's respect.
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我们要正心诚意地对待每一个人,才能构建和谐社会。
wǒmen yào zhèng xīn chéng yì de duìdài měi yīgè rén, cáinéng gòujiàn héxié shèhuì.
We must treat everyone with sincerity to build a harmonious society.