Li Qingzhao's line 'in life one should be a hero among men' has more spine than many a male poet's verse.
Tips
history
Opening of 《夏日绝句》 by 李清照 (Li Qingzhao, Song dynasty): '生当作人杰，死亦为鬼雄。至今思项羽，不肯过江东.' A biting rebuke of the Song court fleeing south — written as the empire was collapsing, praising 项羽 Xiang Yu for choosing death over flight.
usage
人杰 = 'hero among men / outstanding person,' still a productive word today (e.g. 人杰地灵).
