📖 Meaning
To rescue and benefit the world while rectifying the political and social ills of one's era. It describes a person of high moral purpose who dedicates their life to public service and reform. The idiom embodies the Confucian ideal of the scholar-official who uses their talents to bring order and relief to a troubled age.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the late Ming and early Qing dynasty scholar Huang Zongxi (黄宗羲, 1610–1695), in his biographical essay 'The Biography of Guo Gong of Limei' (《黎眉郭公传》). Huang wrote that Guo Gong 'surveyed past and present with a comprehensive mind, ever harboring the ambition to save the world and rectify the times, yet fate did not grant him the opportunity.' The phrase reflects the deep frustration of talented scholar-officials during the turbulent Ming-Qing transition, who were denied the chance to serve and reform society.
💡 Example Usage
他自幼立志济世匡时，终成一代名臣。
He aspired from childhood to save the world and rectify the times, ultimately becoming a renowned minister of his generation.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 济世匡时
- Pinyin: jì shì kuāng shí
- Literal Translation: save, world, rectify, times
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4