Listen to this articlebǎo mín 保民
Protecting the People
安定百姓的生活。“保民”一说最早见于《尚书·康诰》。古人认为，天命决定着人世中至高无上的王权的归属。天命的授予与剥夺遵循着固定的原则，君主有德则授命，失德则剥夺天命。君主保有天命的最重要的德行即是“保民”。“保民”意在使治下的百姓获得安定的生活，体现着君主对百姓的关爱与照顾。“保民”构成了古代政治治理的核心目标。
This term means safeguarding the people’s life. It first appeared in The Book of History. In the view of ancient Chinese, the Mandate of Heaven determined to whom supreme power in the human world belonged. The Mandate was bestowed and removed according to predetermined principles. Virtuous rulers received the Mandate, those without virtue lost it. The most important virtue for retaining the Mandate of Heaven was protecting the people, which was to ensure a safe and peaceful life for them, and this manifested the ruler’s love and care for his people. “Protecting the people” was a central goal of governance in ancient China.
引例 Citation：
◎别求闻由古先哲王，用康保民。（《尚书·康诰》）
（另外寻求古代明智的君王所用之法，用以安定百姓的生活。）
In addition, one should learn from the ancient sage kings and use their ways to protect the people and ensure their wellbeing. (The Book of History)
◎曰：“德何如则可以王矣？”曰：“保民而王，莫之能御也。”（《孟子·梁惠王上》）
（齐宣王问：“什么样的德行就可以统一天下了呢？”孟子回答：“通过安定百姓的生活而统一天下，没有人能够抵御。”）
King Xuan of Qi said: “What virtues should I have to be a true king?” Mencius replied: “Protecting the people will turn you into a true king revered across the land, and nobody will be able to challenge you.” (Mencius)
