Be Prepared for Adversity and Danger in Times of Peace

This piece of advice originated in Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. "In times of peace, think of danger." it advises. "In your thoughts, you will be prepared, and once prepared, you can avoid calamity." The ancient Chinese believed that one should always be on alert for potential danger even in times of peace. Doing so ensures they will take precautions to avert danger. "Life springs from worries and hardship, and death from ease and pleasure," goes a line in Mencius. History has repeatedly shown that people can become complacent and let down their guard in times of peace and prosperity. However, things are in constant change, and latent danger is often hidden beneath peace and stability. If such danger is not recognized, it might grow into a calamity. Therefore, we should always stay alert and prepared for potential risks.

The concept reflects the strong Chinese awareness of potential risks. Only persistent vigilance can foster long-term stability and development. This is true with any individual, community, or nation.

居安思危

居安思危出自《左傳·襄公十一年》，原文是“居安思危，思則有備，有備無(wú)患”。中國(guó)古人認(rèn)為，即使處在安定的環(huán)境中，也要考慮到可能產(chǎn)生的危險(xiǎn)，考慮到了就會(huì)提前做好防備，有防備就能避免禍患。正如《孟子》提出的“生于憂(yōu)患，死于安樂(lè)”，人類(lèi)歷史上的無(wú)數(shù)事例已經(jīng)反復(fù)證明了這一點(diǎn)。安定的環(huán)境最容易使人放松警惕而心生懈怠。然而，事物時(shí)刻處在發(fā)展變化之中，安定中也可能潛藏著危險(xiǎn)的因素，如果不加以防范就會(huì)發(fā)展為巨大的禍患。因此需要時(shí)刻保持警惕，檢視可能存在的危險(xiǎn)，做好應(yīng)對(duì)準(zhǔn)備。

居安思危體現(xiàn)了中國(guó)人強(qiáng)烈的憂(yōu)患意識(shí)?！八嘉！钡哪康脑谟谀軌蜷L(zhǎng)久地“居安”。無(wú)論對(duì)于個(gè)人、團(tuán)體還是國(guó)家，只有時(shí)刻謹(jǐn)記居安思危，保持憂(yōu)患意識(shí)，才能維持穩(wěn)定的環(huán)境，獲得長(zhǎng)久的發(fā)展。