Gǔrén jiǎng shìwèizhījǐzhěsǐ, jīntiān de wǒmen yě gāi wèi zhēnzhèng dǒng zìjǐ de rén quánlìyǐfù.
The ancients said a gentleman dies for the one who understands him - we too should give our all for those who truly see us.
Tips
history
From 《战国策·赵策一》 (Strategies of the Warring States, Zhao). The assassin Yu Rang (豫让), swearing to avenge his lord Zhi Bo after the house of Zhao destroyed him, declared 士为知己者死，女为悦己者容, 'a gentleman dies for the one who knows him; a woman makes herself beautiful for the one who delights in her.' He swallowed charcoal to ruin his voice and painted his skin with lacquer to disguise himself, pursuing the vendetta to his own death.
usage
Often paired with its rhyming counterpart 女为悦己者容. In modern use the gender pairing has faded; the first half alone stands for extreme loyalty to a mentor, patron, or benefactor.
