居安思危

jū'ānsīwēi

idiom #88,302

Meanings

1 to think of danger even when at peace
2 to stay vigilant in times of safety
3 be prepared for adversity in times of plenty

Characters

to reside; to dwell in

Examples

公司虽然效益很好，但我们要居安思危。

Gōngsī suīrán xiàoyì hěn hǎo, dàn wǒmen yào jū'ānsīwēi.

Although the company is doing well, we must stay alert to potential risks.

居安思危，才能防患于未然。

Jū'ānsīwēi, cái néng fánghuànyúwèirán.

Only by thinking of danger in peacetime can you prevent trouble before it arises.

作为领导，他始终保持居安思危的态度。

Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, tā shǐzhōng bǎochí jū'ānsīwēi de tàidù.

As a leader, he has always maintained an attitude of vigilance in times of peace.

Tips

history

From 《左传·襄公十一年》: 居安思危，思则有备，有备无患 — 'think of danger while at peace; such thought brings preparation, and preparation avoids disaster.' Quoted for millennia as a classic of strategic thought.

usage

Apostrophe needed before 安 (a-initial syllable) under Hanyu Pinyin rules: jū'ān not jūān. Very common in political and business speech.

Stroke Order

居 jū

安 ān

思 sī

危 wēi