The meaning of this sentence is:
When a saint governs the world, he will first educate the world with literature and virtue and then conquer the world with force. Anyone who uses force to conquer the world will not be convinced by others. If he first uses virtue to govern but cannot change it, then he can be punished.
This sentence shows that when governing a country, we must first adopt the method of governing by virtue, and then use the method of governing by force.
This sentence comes from "Shuoyuan·Zhiwu" written by Liu Xiang, a historian of the Western Han Dynasty.
"Shuo Yuan", also known as "Xin Yuan", is a collection of ancient miscellaneous historical novels. Edited by Liu Xiang. It was written in the fourth year of Hongtai (17 BC).
According to various categories, anecdotes from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States to the Han Dynasty are recorded. Each category is preceded by the following words: add notes afterwards.
It mainly records the words and deeds of various scholars, and many chapters contain philosophical aphorisms about governing the country and the people, and the rise and fall of the country. It mainly embodies Confucian philosophical thoughts, political ideals and ethical concepts.
The 20 chapters of "Shuo Yuan" are respectively divided into: monarchy, ministerial skills, building foundations, establishing integrity, honoring virtues, repaying kindness, political principles, respecting the virtuous, correct advice, respecting prudence, and being good at speaking. Serving envoys, strategizing, being supreme, commanding military forces, talking about conglomerates, miscellaneous words, identifying things, revising essays, and counter-evaluation.
Extended information:
"The sage governs the world by virtue first and then by force. Whenever martial arts rises, it is because of disobedience; if the culture does not change, then he will be punished." The author is Liu Xiang.
Liu Xiang, courtesy name Zizheng, formerly known as Gengsheng, known as Liu Zhonglei in the world, lived in Chang'an and was native to Pengcheng, Chu State (now Xuzhou, Jiangsu). He was born in the fourth year of Yuanfeng of Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty (77 BC) and died in the first year of Jianping of Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty (6 BC). The descendant of Liu Bang's half-brother Liu Jiao and the father of Liu Xin.
His prose is mainly the "narrative" of ancient books compiled by Qin Shuhe. The more famous ones are "Jianying Changling Shu" and "Warring States Policy Narrative". The narrative is simple, the theory is smooth, and it is soothing and easy-to-use. Main features.
Liu Xiang is the fourth grandson of King Liu Jiao of Chu Yuan Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, he was an admonishing official. During the reign of Emperor Han Yuan, he was appointed Zongzheng. For opposing the eunuchs Hong Gong and Shi Xian, they were imprisoned and later released. Later, he was imprisoned for opposing Gong and Xian, so as not to become a commoner.
After Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty came to the throne, he was promoted to the official position and appointed as Guanglu doctor. He was renamed "Xiang" and was promoted to Zhongbao Xiaowei.
Zeng was ordered to lead the school secretary and wrote "Bielu", which is the earliest public catalog of books in my country. Three articles, most of which have been lost.
There are books such as "New Preface", "Shuo Yuan", "Biography of Lienu", "Warring States Policy" and "Biography of Immortals". His work "Tongyi of the Five Classics" has been edited by Ma Guohan of the Qing Dynasty. "Chu Ci" was compiled into a book by Liu Xiang, and "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" was compiled into a book by him and his son Liu Xin.
Reference materials: Baidu Encyclopedia - "Shuoyuan·Zhiwu"; Baidu Encyclopedia - Liu Xiang