Gu Yanwu’s famous sayings are as follows:

1. Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world.

From Gu Yanwu's "Rizhilu·Zhengshi". It means that everyone has an unshirkable responsibility for the rise and fall of major events in the world.

2. The learning of a gentleman is done only after death.

From "Gu Tinglin's Collected Poems and Essays·Yu Ren Shu Liu". Translation: The knowledge of a gentleman requires lifelong pursuit.

3. The ancestors were full of energy, and the bow was in the middle of the flow.

From "Jingkou Shishi". Translation Zu Ao was full of high spirits, vowed to restore the Central Plains, crossed the Yangtze River and made an expedition to the north, and succeeded in one fell swoop.

4. Wealth and honor are fleeting in life, but only honor, fame and longevity are the golden stones.

From "Autumn Wind". Translation Wealth and honor in life are like a fleeting moment and will pass away in a blink of an eye. Only a person's honor and disgrace will last forever like gold and stone.

5. Canglong still rains at dusk, and the old trees bloom more in spring.

The literal meaning is that the dragon can still rain in the evening, and the trees can still bloom in late spring. The implication is the above: in his old age, bedridden by illness, he still overcame all kinds of unimaginable difficulties and diligently wrote books.

6. I wish to level the East China Sea, and my body and mind will never change. The sea will never be flat, and my heart will never be flat.

From "Jingwei". Translation: I (Jingwei) would rather fill up the East China Sea. Even if my body sinks to the bottom of the sea, my heart will not change. As long as the sea is not filled up, my heart to fill up the sea will not be cut off.

7. It is our duty to save this people from the ashes and create peace for all generations. Benevolence considers one's duty and will only die after death.

From "Tinglin Collected Works·Volume 3·The beginning of the disease and the book on Jimen's affairs". It is our responsibility to save the suffering people and create a peaceful and prosperous world for future generations. A man with lofty ideals and benevolence takes the peace of his country as his duty until his death.