生民

生民

1. (literary) the people

   • 生事愛敬，死事哀慼，生民之本盡矣，死生之義備矣，孝子之事親終矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     生事爱敬，死事哀戚，生民之本尽矣，死生之义备矣，孝子之事亲终矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Classic of Filial Piety, circa 475 – 221 BCE

     Shēng shì àijìng, sǐ shì āiqī, shēngmín zhī běn jìn yǐ, sǐshēng zhī yì bèi yǐ, xiàozǐ zhī shì qīn zhōng yǐ.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 為天地立心，為生民立命，為往聖繼絕學，為萬世開太平。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     为天地立心，为生民立命，为往圣继绝学，为万世开太平。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: 11th century, 張載 (Zhang Zai), recorded in 張子全書

     Wèi tiāndì lìxīn, wèi shēngmín lìmìng, wèi wǎng shèng jì juéxué, wèi wànshì kāi tàipíng.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

生民

1. (literary, figurative, of humans) to emerge; to come into existence

   • 夫九州之人，言語不同，生民已來，固常然矣。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     夫九州之人，言语不同，生民已来，固常然矣。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: Yan Zhitui, The Family Instructions of Master Yan, 6^th century CE

     Fū Jiǔzhōu zhī rén, yányǔ bùtóng, shēngmín yǐlái, gù chángrán yǐ.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. (literary) to nourish the people

   • 閏以正時，時以作事，事以厚生。生民之道，於是乎在矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     闰以正时，时以作事，事以厚生。生民之道，于是乎在矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Rùn yǐ zhèngshí, shí yǐ zuòshì, shì yǐ hòushēng. Shēngmín zhī dào, yúshìhū zài yǐ.

     The intercalary month is intended to adjust the seasons. The observance of the seasons is necessary for the performance of the labours of the year. It is those labours by which provision is made for the necessities of life. Herein then lies the caring for the lives of the people.