I. Sources
The phrase "a gentleman depends on it, a villain depends on it" comes from the Book of Songs, a classic literary work in ancient China, originally from the poem Xiaoya Cai Wei.
Xiaoya Cai Wei is a poem in The Book of Songs, the first collection of poems in ancient China. This poem sings the hard life and homesickness of the soldiers in the army in the tone of returning home and guarding the soldiers. This poem uses overlapping sentence patterns and figurative techniques, which embodies the artistic characteristics of The Book of Songs.
In Xiaoya and Cai Wei's view, "a gentleman depends on morality and truth" means that a gentleman depends on morality and truth, while "a villain is eager to fly" means that a villain pursues interests and selfish desires.
I. Interpretation
The phrase "the gentleman depends on it, and the villain depends on it" means that the gentleman depends on morality and reason, and the villain follows interests and selfish desires. Among them, a gentleman and a villain refer to two different people. A gentleman is a moral and intelligent person, while a villain refers to a person who only pursues self-interest.
The phrase "gentlemen depend on it and villains depend on it" is also used to describe the different values and pursuits of gentlemen and villains. Gentlemen pursue morality, truth and justice, while villains pursue interests, power and personal desires.
The sentence "gentlemen depend on it, villains depend on it" expresses two different values and pursuits, and also reminds people to maintain correct values and pursue truth and justice, not just personal interests.
suggestion
There were two prime ministers in the Northern Song Dynasty, one was Sima Guang and the other was Wang Anshi. A gentleman is harmonious but different. Sima Guang and Wang Anshi are sworn enemies in politics. Both of them think each other's policies are ridiculous, but they are good friends in life.
In order to reform, Sima Guang was ousted from the throne of prime minister. When Wang Anshi was in power, the emperor asked him what he thought of Sima Guang. Wang Anshi called Sima Guang a pillar of the country. Later, Wang Anshi was dismissed from office because of the failure of political reform. Many people hit people when they were down and told the emperor about his blackness.
The emperor came to ask Sima Guang's opinion. Sima Guang said earnestly: Wang Anshi hated evil, was frank and honest, and had the demeanor of an ancient gentleman. Your majesty must not listen to gossip.
After listening, the emperor said: Qing and others are gentlemen! I respect your personality, but I do not necessarily agree with you; Just because I object to your idea doesn't mean I deny all of you. This kind of relaxation is moderate, harmony is different, and this is a friend of a gentleman!