Not Neglect the Possibility of Danger

君子安而不忘危，存而不忘亡，治而不忘乱。--《易經》·系辭下傳 第五章【註1】

A gentleman in safety will not neglect the possibility of danger。 Living in security, he will not forget lessons of being subjugated. Though all in order, he does not forget the threat of chaos. -- 《The Book of Changes》·Xici-2

皇天无亲，唯德是辅 -- 《尚书》·蔡仲之命【註2】

The Heavenly Emperor has no preferences, he helps only the virtuous and righteous. -- 《The Book of History》·To Cai Zhong

满招损，谦受益。　--《尚书》·大禹谟

Arrogance invites loss, while humility brings benefit。 —《Book of Documents》 · Counsels of the Great Yu

訓有之，內作色荒，外作禽荒。甘酒嗜音，峻宇雕牆。有一于此，未或弗亡。--《尚書》 卷二 

利于国者爱之，害于国者恶之。　　--《晏子春秋》【注3】

Whatever benefits the state, I cherish; whatever harms the state, I detest.”

— 《Yanzi Chunqiu》

忧国忘家，捐躯济难，忠臣之志也。　　-- 曹植《求自诚表》【注4】

To forget one’s family out of concern for the nation, to sacrifice one’s life in time of peril, this is the aspiration of a loyal minister.”

— Cao Zhi： 《Memorial Requesting to Manifest Sincerity》

捐躯赴国难，视死忽如归。　　-- 曹植《白马篇》

To lay down one’s life in the face of national peril, and to regard death as a return home.”

— Cao Zhi： 《The White Horse》

【註1】見本書《有道以理之》【註3】

【註2】《尚書》為中國最早的歷史文獻集，編訂者不詳，司馬遷和班固認為是由孔子編訂。後世儒家將其列為六經之一。《尚書》來源複雜，傳統上由《今文尚書》和《古文尚書》兩部分構成，自古以來，《古文尚書》屢屢被疑為偽作。當代出土之清華簡亦有《尚書》，部分內容與傳統尚書相同，部分內容為新發現之內容，自清華簡出土後，《古文尚書》已被多數學者認為是偽作。《尚書》，原稱為《書》，為先秦時代政事文獻的彙編，內容以上古及夏、商、周的君王、重臣進行宣示佈告的講話記錄為主。《尚書》為中國文學散文創作之祖，文風質樸。《尚书》追述上古事迹，分为虞书、夏书、商书、周书。

【注3】 《晏子春秋》是一部记载春秋时期齐国名相晏婴言行事迹的古代典籍。全书由一系列生动的故事、对话和劝谏组成，展现了晏婴杰出的政治智慧、外交才能和个人品格。

晏婴，字仲，又称晏子，是春秋后期齐国的著名政治家、思想家和外交家。他以机智善辩、以身作则和坚持节俭而闻名，深受后人敬仰。孔子也曾赞扬他：“救民百姓而不夸，行补三君而不有，晏子果君子也！”

【注4】曹植（192年－232年），字子建，沛国谯（今安徽亳州）人，是三国时期曹魏的重要文学家，曹操之子，曹丕之弟。自幼聪慧过人，文才出众，与曹丕并称“建安七子”之外的“曹氏三才子”之一。他的诗文感情真挚、语言华丽、气势雄健，代表了建安文学的最高成就。代表作品有《洛神赋》《白马篇》《七哀诗》《求自诚表》《赠白马王彪》等，对后世文学影响深远。

Note1：See 《When There Is the Way to Guide Affairs》 Note 3in this book.

Note2: The 《Book of Documents》 (Shangshu) is China’s earliest collection of historical records. Its editor is unknown; Sima Qian and Ban Gu believed it was compiled by Confucius. Later Confucian scholars listed it as one of the Six Classics. The origins of the 《Shangshu》 are complex. Traditionally it consisted of two parts: the 《Modern Script Documents》 (Jinwen Shangshu) and the 《Ancient Script Documents》 (Guwen Shangshu). Since ancient times, the authenticity of the 《Guwen Shangshu》 has been repeatedly questioned. In modern times, the Tsinghua bamboo manuscripts unearthed also contained texts of the 《Shangshu》. Some of their content overlaps with the traditional 《Shangshu》, while other portions are newly discovered material. Since the discovery of the Tsinghua manuscripts, most scholars have considered the 《Guwen Shangshu》 to be a forgery. The 《Book of Documents》，originally titled 《Shu》, is a collection of political writings from the pre-Qin era. Its content consists primarily of proclamations, edicts, and speeches attributed to kings and high ministers of antiquity, including the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. As the earliest prose collection in Chinese literature, its style is plain and unadorned. It recounts ancient events and forms one of the Five Classics of Confucianism, divided into the “Yu Documents,” “Xia Documents,” “Shang Documents,” and “Zhou Documents.”

Note3: The 《Yanzi Chunqiu》 is an ancient Chinese text that records the words and deeds of Yan Ying, the famous prime minister of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period. The book is composed of a series of vivid stories, dialogues, and remonstrations, showcasing Yan Ying's outstanding political wisdom, diplomatic skill, and personal integrity.

Yan Ying, also known by his courtesy name Zhong or as Master Yan (晏子), was a renowned statesman, thinker, and diplomat in the late Spring and Autumn period of the State of Qi. He was famous for his quick wit, persuasive arguments, leading by example, and insisting on frugality, earning deep admiration from later generations. Confucius also once praised him, saying, "He saves the common people without boasting, and assists three rulers without claiming credit. Master Yan is indeed a true gentleman!" 

Note4: Cao Zhi (192–232), courtesy name Zijian, was a native of Qiao in Pei Commandery (present-day Bozhou, Anhui Province). He was a prominent literary figure of the Wei Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, the son of Cao Cao and younger brother of Cao Pi. Gifted with extraordinary intelligence and literary talent from an early age, he became one of the most celebrated poets of the Jian’an era. His writings are known for their deep emotion, elegant diction, and vigorous style, representing the pinnacle of Jian’an literature. His major works include “The Goddess of the Luo River (Luoshen Fu),” “The White Horse,” “Poems of Sorrow,” "Memorial Requesting to Manifest Sincerity," and “To Prince Baimawang.” Cao Zhi’s works had a profound influence on later Chinese poetry and prose.