Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world. From Gu Yanwu's "The Record of Japanese Knowledge is the Beginning":

There is national subjugation and there is world subjugation. Debate between national subjugation and world subjugation? Yue: "Changing one's surname and changing one's number is called national subjugation; Benevolence and righteousness are a hindrance, but as for leading animals to eat people, people will eat each other, which is called the death of the world. It is an old knowledge to protect the world, and then to protect its country. Those who protect the country, their princes and their ministers seek it; Those who protect the world are ashamed and responsible.

vernacular:

national subjugation and world subjugation are two different concepts. "National subjugation" refers to the change of dynasty and the name of di wang. However, if benevolence, righteousness and morality are not carried forward, the rulers will abuse the people, and disputes among the people will continue, which will lead to the end of the world. Such things as protecting the country need only be planned by di wang, his ministers and people in power. But the rise and fall of the "world" is also the responsibility of the humble people.

gu Yanwu's thought of "saving the world by Ming Dow" is more prominent because he put forward the slogan "every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world". The rise and fall of the world mentioned by Gu Yanwu does not refer to the rise and fall of a dynasty with one surname, but refers to the survival of the broad masses of China people and the continuation of the entire Chinese culture.

Extended information

Gu Yanwu's anecdote:

After the demise of the Ming Dynasty, Gu Yanwu, who was only thirty-two years old, vowed not to be disrespectful, not to serve the Qing Dynasty, and also participated in the "Restoration Society" against the Qing Dynasty. On the Dragon Boat Festival every year, he always hangs a red vine in front of the door, stuffed it with a little garlic green, and hung a white cloth behind it. The word "avoid green" is written on the white cloth, which means "avoid evil if you don't go straight to the country."

Gu Yanwu walked from home to ming tomb six times to mourn Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and traveled thousands of miles back and forth. On the way around, I went to Changling, Changping County, Beijing twice to mourn Zhu Di, the founder of Ming Dynasty, and six times to mourn Zhu Youjian, the late emperor of Ming Dynasty.

Resources

Baidu Encyclopedia-Gu Yanwu

Baidu Encyclopedia-Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world