Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, from "Rizhilu·Zhengshi" written by the famous thinker Gu Yanwu.

"Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world." This patriotic saying is well-known to every household and has far-reaching influence. It originated from "Rizhilu·Zhengshi" written by Gu Yanwu, a famous thinker in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. This sentence succinctly and comprehensively points out that individuals should bear responsibility for the rise and fall of the country, and plays an important role in stimulating the patriotism and sense of responsibility of the Chinese people. For hundreds of years, it has become an important manifestation of our country's great national spirit.

Gu Yanwu was a famous thinker and scholar in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty. He never wrote useless articles in his life, advocating that "writing must be meticulous" and "must be beneficial to the world"; his scholarship emphasized "application of the world" and opposed Empty talk and focus on on-the-spot investigation.

He wrote extensively throughout his life and made great achievements in geography, epigraphy, and music. He wrote "Zhi of Zhaoyu", "Book of Benefit and Diseases of Prefectures and Countries in the World", "Epigraphy and Stone Records", and "Five Five Principles of Phonology". Books" and other books are of high academic value.

The representative work "Rizhilu" systematically expounds his views in philosophy, politics, economics and other aspects.

Original text of "Rizhilu·Zhengshi":

"Those who protect the country, their rulers and ministers who eat meat will seek it; those who protect the world, how can they be responsible for the lowliness of ordinary people?" "It means the rise and fall of national affairs. Protecting the country from being overthrown is the responsibility of the emperor, generals, civil and military ministers, and has nothing to do with ordinary people; and the rise and fall of major events in the world, every common person has an unshirkable responsibility.

"There is the subjugation of the country, and there is the subjugation of the world. How do you distinguish between the subjugation of the country and the subjugation of the world? He said: "When the surname of Yi was changed, it was called the subjugation of the country; when benevolence and righteousness were filled, as for leading the beasts to eat people, and people would eat each other, it was called The world will be destroyed. This is why you know how to protect the world, and then you know how to protect your country. To protect the country, the king and his ministers are meat-eating people; to protect the world, how can a humble man be held responsible? "——The words come from Gu Yanwu: "Zhengshi", Volume 13 of "Rizhilu".

"Subjugation of the country" and "subjugation of the world" are two different concepts. "Subjugation of the country" refers to the change of dynasties and the change of the country. The king is the name of the country. But if benevolence and morality are not promoted widely, the rulers abuse the people, and there are constant disputes among the people, the world will be destroyed. Only the emperor, ministers and people in power can protect the country. To plan. But the rise and fall of "the world" is also the responsibility of the humble people.

"Lead the beasts to eat people" comes from "Mencius: King Hui of Liang". People. It is a metaphor for rulers who abuse the people; "common man" refers to men among the common people in ancient times, and generally refers to ordinary people.