死節

死節

1. (literary) to die for the sake of honour or duty; to die and preserve one's integrity; to become a martyr

   • 假令僕伏法受誅，若九牛亡一毛，與螻蟻何以異？而世俗又不能與死節者次比，特以爲智窮罪極，不能自免，卒就死耳。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     假令仆伏法受诛，若九牛亡一毛，与蝼蚁何以异？而世俗又不能与死节者次比，特以为智穷罪极，不能自免，卒就死耳。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Sima Qian, Letter to Ren An. 1st century BCE. Based on the translation by Burton Watson.

     Jiǎlìng pú fúfǎ shòuzhū, ruò jiǔniú wáng yīmáo, yǔ lóuyǐ héyǐ yì? Ér shìsú yòu bùnéng yǔ sǐjié zhě cìbǐ, tè yǐwèi zhìqióng zuìjí, bùnéng zìmiǎn, zú jiùsǐ ěr. [Pinyin]

     If I fell before the law and was executed, it would make no more difference to most people than one hair off nine oxen, for I was a mere ant to them. The world would not rank me among those who were able to die for their ideals, but would believe simply that my wits were exhausted and my crime great, that I had been unable to escape penalty and in the end had gone to my death.

   • 相看白刃血紛紛，死節從來豈顧勳。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     相看白刃血纷纷，死节从来岂顾勋。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Gao Shi (高適), 738, A Song of the Yan Country (《燕歌行》), translated by Witter Bynner.

     Xiāngkàn báirèn xuè fēnfēn, sǐjié cónglái qǐgù xūn. [Pinyin]

     Until white swords can be seen again, spattered with red blood.
     When death becomes a duty, who stops to think of fame?