Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. This is Xunzi's famous saying. This sentence comes from Xunzi Wang Zhi: "As the saying goes:' Jun boat, Shu Ren water, water carries the boat, water overturns the boat.' This is also called. "You are like a boat, and the people are like water. Water can make a boat run and drown it. Xunzi believes that Wang Zheng is a kind of politics that wastes people and punishes them with virtue, with clear rewards and punishments, which can make everyone return to propriety and righteousness. Politeness and law should be used when dealing with political affairs. Kings don't have to do it themselves, but rely on gentlemen to govern the country.

In addition, it is necessary to clarify the level of seniority, so as to restrict each other. Xunzi pointed out that a good ruler should have the character and means of loving the people peacefully and being respectful to scholars. These are the three major things he should do.

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In the later period of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, Wei Zhi said in his famous Ten Thoughts on Emperor Taizong: "There is not much resentment, but people are awesome. It is advisable to be cautious when the boat is overturned. " It means: resentment lies not in size, but in the deviation of people's hearts. Water can carry a boat and overturn it, so we should be highly cautious. Emperor Taizong appreciated this view of Xunzi and Wei Zhi very much, and repeatedly quoted and developed this view when discussing the way of governing the country with the monarch and his subjects. He said in the article "On Political Power": "Jun, the boat is also; People, water also; Water can carry a boat or overturn it. " Xunzi, Wei Zhi and Emperor Taizong all deeply realized that people's strength is extremely great, and emphasized the importance of relying on people's strength. Their brilliant idea was accepted by the ruling classes of past dynasties. It has played a positive role in promoting the rulers of past dynasties to respect the people's feelings and public opinions and to govern for the people.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.