I can do this! I used to take exams when I was in school. The meaning of this sentence is: wealth cannot confuse his mind, and poverty cannot shake his integrity.

Where does this sentence come from? ——Pre-Qin Mencius "Wealth and Nobless Cannot Be Promiscuous"

The complete original text is as follows:

Jing Chun said: "Are Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi not honest men? In anger, the princes are angry Fear, live in peace while the world is destroyed."

Mencius said: "How can I be a man? Is it true that a son has not learned etiquette? When he goes to the gate of sending off, he says: "You must respect your daughter's house and do not disobey Master!" To be righteous is to be a concubine, to live in the world and to establish the right position in the world. The great road of the world. If you have a will, follow the people's will; if you don't have a will, you can't be immoral, you can't be poor, you can't be subdued by force. This is called a man."

I will give you the translation. came out for everyone to understand:

Jingchun said: "Aren't Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi really men with great ambition, achievements, and integrity? When they get angry, even the princes are afraid, and they live in peace After that, the world will be at peace."

Mencius said: "How can this be considered a man of ambition and achievement? Haven't you learned the etiquette? At that time, her mother gave her instructions, sent her to the door, and warned her: "When you arrive at your husband's house, you must be respectful and careful, and don't disobey your husband." It is the way of a concubine to be obedient! . (A true man should) live in the most spacious residence in the world - benevolence, stand in the most correct position in the world - righteousness, and walk on the most correct path in the world - righteousness. When you can realize your ideal, you should follow this path with the people. The right path; when he cannot realize his ideal, he walks alone on this right path. Wealth and honor cannot confuse his mind, poverty and lowliness cannot shake his integrity, and power cannot bend his will. This is called a man of integrity and achievement. ”

Now that we have said this, let’s appreciate and analyze this article together:

The content of “Wealth and Honor Cannot Be Promiscuous” is Mencius’ refutation of Jingchun’s erroneous remarks about men. Let’s first look at the “target” of the article’s criticism, namely Jing Chun’s views.

Jingchun believed that Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi were true men. For this reason, he asked Mencius with a rhetorical question: "Are Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi not honest men?" Aren't Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi really true men? Are they real men? The implication is that Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi are real men. The basis for Jingchun's point of view is that Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi can control the princes, "when they are angry, the princes will be afraid, and when they live in peace, the world will be extinguished." When they get angry, the princes will be afraid, but when they calm down, the world will be peaceful. They are majestic and powerful, and can influence the current situation.

In response to Jingchun's "arguments" and "arguments", Mencius first broke down and then established. He first refuted Jingchun's wrong views and then explained what a real man is.

First of all, Mencius used a tit-for-tat rhetorical question: "How can we be called a man?" How can this be called a man? He directly rejected Jingchun's views.

Secondly, Mencius conducted an analysis and answered why "Gongsun Yan, Zhang Yi and others" cannot be called men.

Mencius’s statement is implicit and humorous. He only uses the word "ritual" to explain the mother's instructions when a woman gets married. From this, it can be concluded that "the one who takes obedience as the right one is the way of a concubine." It is worth us here It should be noted that the ancients believed that the way of a wife is like the way of a minister. Of course, ministers should be obedient to their emperor, but the principle of obedience is based on justice. If the emperor behaves unjustly, ministers should advise him. The same is true for a wife towards her husband. Of course the wife should obey her husband, but if the husband has made mistakes, the wife should persuade him to make amends. It should be "harmony but difference". Only eunuchs, wives and maids do not care about right and wrong, and follow the principle of blind obedience. In fact, they have no principles whatsoever. "The way of a concubine" cannot be generally understood as the way of a woman, but is actually the "way of a little wife".

Mencius’s sarcasm was profound and sharp, and it can be said that he deeply hated Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi.

Regrettably, although Mencius hated this kind of concubine way of "taking obedience as the right thing", for more than two thousand years, such "concubines" have continued to appear in endlessly. Today, monogamy is protected by law, and it is difficult for "concubines" to exist. However, the "concubine theory" may not disappear, and it may even be still popular.

Mencius’ method is to put forward the true way of a man tit for tat. This is his famous saying that has been passed down through the ages: "Wealth cannot be lustful, poverty cannot be moved, power cannot be surrendered." How to do it? Then we have to "live in the broadest place in the world, establish the right position in the world, and walk the great road of the world." It is better to return to the benevolence, justice, etiquette and wisdom that Confucianism has always advocated. After doing this, we should adopt the attitude of "following the people's will when we get it, and going our own way if we don't have it", which is what Confucius said: "Use it and do it, abandon it and hide it," ("The Analects of Confucius") or Mencius It is said in other places that "if you are poor, you can be good for yourself; if you are prosperous, you can help the world." ("Dedication to the Heart") Then you can become a truly upright man.

Mencius's paragraph about "a man" The famous quotes shine with the power of thought and personality. They have inspired many people with lofty ideals in history and have become their motto to not fear violence and uphold justice.