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，有備無患”。中國古人認為，即使處在安定的環境中，也要考慮到可能產生的危險，考慮到了就會提前做好防備，有防備就能避免禍患。正如《孟子》提出的“生于憂患，死于安樂”，人類歷史上的無數事例已經反復證明了這一點。安定的環境最容易使人放松警惕而心生懈怠。然而，事物時刻處在發展變化之中，安定中也可能潛藏著危險的因素，如果不加以防范就會發展為巨大的禍患。因此需要時刻保持警惕，檢視可能存在的危險，做好應對準備。

居安思危體現了中國人強烈的憂患意識。“思危”的目的在于能夠長久地“居安”。無論對于個人、團體還是國家，只有時刻謹記居安思危，保持憂患意識，才能維持穩定的環境，獲得長久的發展。