While taming the floods, Yu passed his own door three times without entering.
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culture
The story is recorded in 《尚书》 and 《史记·夏本纪》. In modern usage 大禹治水 is often invoked when discussing flood control, infrastructure, and officials who should put public duty above family.
Legendary founder of the Xia dynasty (c. 2070 BCE in traditional chronology). After his father Gun failed by trying to dam the floods, Yu succeeded by dredging channels and redirecting the rivers to the sea, working thirteen years and famously passing his own home three times (三过家门而不入) without stopping. Symbol of self-sacrificing public service.
