📖 Meaning
To rectify the troubled times and rescue the world from turmoil. It describes the noble ambition of restoring order to a chaotic era and bringing relief to the people. Often used to praise those who dedicate themselves to saving the nation in times of crisis.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Book of Later Han (后汉书), in the biography of Xun Shu (荀淑). The original text states that during times of orderly governance, one should uphold the Way to pursue one's ideals, but when the era declines into chaos, one should step forward to rectify the times (匡时). The term later expanded into '匡时济世,' combining the idea of correcting a troubled era with that of rescuing the world, embodying the Confucian ideal of a scholar's duty to society during crises.
💡 Example Usage
他胸怀匡时济世之志，毅然投身于救国运动之中。
Harboring the ambition to rectify the times and save the world, he resolutely threw himself into the national salvation movement.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 匡时济世
- Pinyin: kuāng shí jì shì
- Literal Translation: rectify, time, aid, world
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4