Listen to this articleshì yì shì yì 世异事异
When Times Change, So Do Social Conditions.
时代不同而处事之法各异。“世异事异”之说出自《韩非子·五蠹》。韩非子（前280？—前233）认为，随着时间的推移，社会情形发生了各种变化。处事之法也应根据新的情况做出相应调整，而不能简单地去模仿历史中的做法。法家之士多持有类似的思想观念。“世异事异”之说构成了变法维新的重要依据。
This means adapting one’s approach to changing conditions. The saying is from the chapter “The Five Vermin” in Hanfeizi. According to this work, many changes in social conditions occur in response to changing times, and people should adjust their approaches accordingly to keep up with new developments instead of just following past practices. Most scholars of the Legalist School held similar views. This argument was a source of inspiration for those who pursue reform and modernization endeavors.
引例 Citations：
◎世事变而行道异也。（《商君书·开塞》）
（世事发生变化，则处事的原则也与过去不同。）
When social conditions change, the way of doing things will be different. (The Theories of Shang Yang)
◎古者文王处丰、镐（hào）之间，地方百里，行仁义而怀西戎，遂王天下。徐偃王处汉东，地方五百里，行仁义，割地而朝者三十有六国，荆文王恐其害己也，举兵伐徐，遂灭之。故文王行仁义而王天下，偃王行仁义而丧其国，是仁义用于古不用于今也。故曰：世异则事异。（《韩非子·五蠹》）
（古时周文王居处在丰、镐两地之间，土地方圆仅百里，施行仁义之政而安抚西戎部族，于是统一了天下。徐偃王居处在汉水东面，土地方圆五百里，施行仁义之政，割让土地而来朝觐的诸侯有三十六国，荆文王担心其危害自己，起兵讨伐徐国，于是消灭了它。由此来看，周文王行仁义之政而统一天下，徐偃王行仁义之政而丧失了国家，是仁义之政适用于古代而不适用于今日。因此说：时代不同而处事之法各异。）
In the ancient past, King Wen of Zhou only had a territory of 100 square li between Feng and Hao. By practicing benevolence and righteousness, he pacified the Rong tribes to the west and subsequently became the ruler of all under heaven. King Yan of Xu held a piece of land covering an area of 500 square li east of the Hanshui River. He also practiced benevolence and righteousness, and thirty-six states paid tribute to him with offers of territory. King Wen of Jing feared the King of Xu would present a threat to him; he then attacked Xu and occupied it. Thus, King Wen practiced benevolence and righteousness and ruled all under heaven, whereas King Yan practiced the same principle but lost his kingdom. That is because benevolence and righteousness were applicable in ancient times but not today. For that reason, it is said that when social conditions change, the way of doing things will be different. (Hanfeizi)
