达则兼济天下

達則兼濟天下
dázéjiānjìtiānxià
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 when successful, extend benefit to all under heaven — those who prosper should work for the public good
  2. 2 literally: when advanced / successful, then also help (all under) heaven

Examples

Qǐyèjiā yào yǒu dá zé jiān jì tiānxià de qínghuái.
Entrepreneurs should have the spirit of 'when successful, benefit all under heaven'.
Tā chénggōng hòu jījí zuò císhàn, zhēnzhèng zuò dào le dá zé jiān jì tiānxià.
After his success he has been an active philanthropist — truly 'benefiting all under heaven once prosperous'.

Tips

history
From 《孟子·尽心》 (Mencius, Jin Xin I): 独善其身天下 — 'When poor, cultivate yourself alone; when successful, benefit all under heaven.' The Confucian model of the scholar-gentleman's responsibility scaling with his power. Widely reused in modern CSR / philanthropy discourse.
usage
Paired couplet — standardly quoted with its mate 独善其身. Classical / moral register; common in graduation speeches, entrepreneurship forums, and philanthropy rhetoric.

Stroke Order

jiān
tiān
xià