自力更生 zì lì gēng shēng Self-reliance

Explanation

指不依赖外力，靠自己的力量重新振作起来，把事情办好。体现了中华民族自强不息的精神。

It means to rely on one's own strength to revitalize oneself and accomplish things without relying on external forces. It reflects the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation.

Origin Story

话说汉武帝时期，国家强盛，但武帝穷兵黩武，多次发动对匈奴的战争，劳民伤财。大臣严安上书劝谏，他引用秦始皇的例子，指出秦始皇统一六国后，虽然一时强大，但由于赋税沉重，百姓怨声载道，最终导致了秦朝的迅速灭亡。严安认为，国家应该休养生息，让百姓自力更生，发展生产，才能真正强大起来，才能抵御外敌。他强调，国家不应过度依赖武力，而应重视民生，只有民富国强，国家才能长治久安。汉武帝听后深思熟虑，最终采纳了严安的建议，减少了对匈奴的战争，注重发展农业和手工业，使国家经济得到恢复和发展。

huì shuō Hàn Wǔdì shíqī, guójiā qiángshèng, dàn Wǔdì qióngbīngdúwǔ, duōcì fādòng duì Xiōngnú de zhànzhēng, láomín shāncái. Dàchén Yán Ān shàngshū quànjiàn, tā yòngyǐn Qín Shǐhuáng de lìzi, zhǐ chū Qín Shǐhuáng tǒngyī liù guó hòu, suīrán yīshí qiángdà, dàn yóuyú fùshuì chénzhòng, bǎixìng yuānshēng zàidào, zuìzhōng dǎozhì le Qíncháo de sùnsù mièwáng. Yán Ān rènwéi, guójiā yīnggāi xiūyǎng shēngxī, ràng bǎixìng zì lì gēng shēng, fāzhǎn shēngchǎn, cáinéng zhēnzhèng qiángdà qǐlái, cáinéng dǐyù wàidí. Tā qiángdiào, guójiā bù yīng guòdù yīlài wǔlì, ér yīng zhòngshì mínshēng, zhǐyǒu mínfù guóqiáng, guójiā cáinéng chángzhì jiǔ'ān. Hàn Wǔdì tīng hòu shēnsī shúlǜ, zuìzhōng cǎinà le Yán Ān de jiànyì, jiǎnshǎo le duì Xiōngnú de zhànzhēng, zhùzhòng fāzhǎn nóngyè hé shǒugōngyè, shǐ guójiā jīngjì dédào huīfù hé fāzhǎn.

During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, although the country was prosperous, Emperor Wu launched numerous wars against the Xiongnu, leading to heavy financial and human losses. Minister Yan An submitted a memorial urging restraint, using the example of Qin Shi Huang to point out that although the Qin Dynasty was initially strong, its heavy taxation led to widespread discontent and ultimately resulted in the rapid downfall of the dynasty. Yan An argued that the country should focus on recuperation and allow the people to become self-reliant, developing their industries, to become truly strong and withstand external threats. He emphasized that the country should not over-rely on military might but prioritize the people's livelihood, for only when the people are prosperous and the country is strong can there be long-term peace and stability. After careful consideration, Emperor Wu adopted Yan An's advice, reducing wars against the Xiongnu and focusing on agriculture and handicrafts, leading to the country's economic recovery and development.

Usage

用于鼓励人们依靠自身的力量，克服困难，取得成功。

yòng yú gǔlì rénmen yīkào zìshēn de lìliang, kèfú kùnnan, qǔdé chénggōng

Used to encourage people to rely on their own strength to overcome difficulties and achieve success.

Examples

• 我们应该自力更生，不要依赖别人。

  wǒmen yīnggāi zì lì gēng shēng, bù yào yīlài biérén

  We should be self-reliant and not depend on others.

• 这个团队通过自力更生，克服了重重困难。

  zhège tuánduì tōngguò zì lì gēng shēng, kèfú le chóng chóng kùnnan

  This team overcame many difficulties through self-reliance.

• 国家发展需要自力更生，不能总是依赖进口。

  guójiā fāzhǎn xūyào zì lì gēng shēng, bùnéng zǒngshì yīlài jìnkǒu

  National development requires self-reliance and cannot always rely on imports.

Related Idioms

• 自立自强

• 艰苦奋斗

Opposite Idioms

• 依赖他人

• 坐享其成