It means: A man must do something in this world. How can he do things under others?

Source: "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Chapter 9" by Luo Guanzhong of the Ming Dynasty

Original text:

Bu You described the encounter in Fengyiting in detail. Yun said: "The grand master raped my daughter and took the general's wife. It is a shame for the world. It is not the grand master who laughs at the ears of the general, but Yun and the general! However, it is not enough to allow an old and incompetent person. It is a pity that the general is a great hero. He also suffered this. What an insult!" Bu was so angry that he slapped the table and shouted. Yun said anxiously, "I am speechless. General, please calm down." Bu said, "I swear to kill this old thief to avenge my shame!" "Old man." Bu said, "How can a man live in heaven and earth and live in depression for a long time?" Yun said, "The general's talents are beyond the control of Grand Master Dong." Bu said, "I want to kill this old thief, but I can't." It's a relationship between father and son, which may lead to discussion by future generations." Yun smiled and said, "The general's surname is Lu, and the grand master's surname is Dong. How can there be any relationship between father and son when throwing a halberd?" Said: "It's not Situ's words, but Bu's mistake!"

Translation:

Lü Bu told the story of the encounter in Fengyiting again in detail. Wang Yun said: "The grand master raped my daughter and took the general's wife. I will be laughed at by everyone in the world. It's not that the grand master is immoral, but that I am laughing at Wang Yun and General Lu! Wang Yun, I have already become old and incompetent. , It’s not enough. It’s just a pity that a great hero has been humiliated like this!”

Lü Bu slapped the table and shouted, “I’m speechless, it’s a sin, General, please!” "Calm down your anger." Lu Bu said, "I swear to kill this old thief to avenge my shame." Wang Yun quickly covered Lu Bu's mouth with his hand and said, "General, don't talk nonsense, I'm afraid it will be implicated!" Come to me." Lu Bu said: "A man born between heaven and earth, how can he live in depression for a long time!" Wang Yun said: "With the talent of a general, it is really beyond the control of Grand Master Dong." Lu Bu said: "I think. "Killing this old thief is a father-son thing, and I'm afraid that future generations will talk about it." Wang Yun clapped his hands and laughed and said, "The general's surname is Lu, and the grand master's surname is Dong. Master Dong threw a halberd at you." Where is the love between father and son?" Lu Bu suddenly realized, "If Situ had not reminded me, I would have forgotten about it!"

Extended information

Allusion:

Under Wang Yun's chain of tricks, Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu got into a fight over Diao Chan. At that time, Lu Bu was resentful of Dong Zhuo because Dong Zhuo threw weapons at Lu Bu in Fengyi Pavilion and took Diao Chan away at the same time. Wang Yun added fuel to the fire Under the words of sowing discord, the above sentence appeared to show his determination to kill Dong Zhuo and stand on his own feet.

Appreciation:

"How can a man live in heaven and earth and live in depression for a long time" is actually a state of dissatisfaction. Sometimes dissatisfaction is indeed a good thing. Be satisfied with your existing achievements, be dissatisfied with your current life, and be dissatisfied with being dependent on others... Only in this way can you inspire your own will to fight, constantly improve your abilities and levels, and encourage yourself to continue to charge and make progress.

Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Lu Bu