write books and establish doctrines; achieve immortality through writings
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to write books and establish one's own doctrines or theories; to achieve immortality through one's writings
literaryDerived from the Confucian 'Three Imperishables' (立德、立功、立言). Emphasizes establishing an intellectual legacy that outlasts one's lifetime. Primarily used in formal or historical contexts.
Gǔ古
rén人
qiáng强
diào调
lì立
dé德
、
lì立
gōng功
、
lì立
yán言
，
yǐ以
qiú求
bù不
xiǔ朽
。
The ancients emphasized establishing virtue, merit, and words to achieve immortality.
Tā他
yī一
shēng生
zhì致
lì力
yú于
xué学
shù术
yán研
jiū究
，
xī希
wàng望
lì立
yán言
chuán传
shì世
。
He dedicated his life to academic research, hoping to establish a lasting intellectual legacy.
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Zhè这
bù部
zhù著
zuò作
zú足
yǐ以
ràng让
tā他
lì立
yán言
，
míng名
chuí垂
qīng青
shǐ史
。
This work is sufficient for him to establish his name in history through his writings.
Zài在
chuán传
tǒng统
wén文
huà化
zhōng中
，
lì立
yán言
shì是
shì士
rén人
de的
zuì最
gāo高
zhuī追
qiú求
zhī之
yī一
。
In traditional culture, establishing one's words was one of the highest pursuits of scholars.