[Source] The Book of Songs, "Da Ya · Zhen Min."
[Meaning] "Ming zhe" means wise and intelligent. Originally, it referred to wise and intelligent people who skillfully seek safety and avoid danger, refraining from involvement in matters that might endanger themselves, thus preserving their own safety. Today, it mostly describes an attitude toward life in which one, fearing mistakes or damage to personal interests, remains noncommittal or neutral on issues of principle.
[Historical Story]
During the reign of King Xuan of Western Zhou, there were two prominent ministers at court: Yin Jifu and Zhong Shanfu. They assisted King Xuan and achieved remarkable accomplishments. Yin Jifu's given name was Jia; "Yin" was his official title. He had led troops to repel invasions by the Youxian people from the northwest and had been commissioned to collect tribute from tribes such as the Nanhuaiyi around Chengzhou (modern-day eastern Luoyang, Henan). Zhong Shanfu was enfeoffed in the Fan region (south of modern-day Chang'an, Shaanxi), so he was also known as Fan Zhong or Fan Mu Zhong. Zhong Shanfu was not only highly learned but also bold in offering frank advice, and all the court officials held him in deep respect.
At that time, Duke Wu of Lu had two sons: the elder named Kuo, and the younger named Xi. King Xuan, acting solely on his personal whims, arbitrarily named Xi as the crown prince of Lu, bypassing the elder son. This practice of setting aside the elder in favor of the younger was prone to cause internal unrest. Zhong Shanfu strongly advised against it, but King Xuan refused to listen and insisted on naming Xi as crown prince. Later, when Xi ascended the throne as Duke Yi of Lu, the people of Lu were filled with resentment, and soon Duke Yi was assassinated.
King Mu of Zhou, who had earlier established China's earliest criminal laws, after leading nine divisions to attack the state of Chu, launched a western campaign against the minority tribe of Quanrong and relocated captured tribes to the Taiyuan region. After coming to power following the "Rebellion of the Commoners," King Xuan of Zhou failed to allow the people to rest and recover, continuing instead to launch frequent wars. He ordered Yin Jifu to repel attacks by the Quanrong and counterattack into the Taiyuan region, thereby incorporating Taiyuan into the territory of the Zhou dynasty. To defend against invasions from various tribes in the northwest, King Xuan also commanded Yin Jifu to build fortifications in the Qi region—legend says that the earliest Pingyao Ancient City was constructed by Yin Jifu.
At this time, Yin Jifu composed a poem for Zhong Shanfu, praising his virtue and talents, and also lauding King Xuan for employing capable people and reviving the Zhou dynasty. This poem is "Zhen Min" from the "Da Ya" section of the Book of Songs, which includes the lines: "Solemn are the king's commands; Zhong Shanfu carries them out. The state's affairs, good or bad, Zhong Shanfu clearly sees. Both wise and discerning, he preserves his person. Day and night he does not slacken, serving the one sovereign alone."
This means: The king's commands are solemn and serious; Zhong Shanfu dutifully carries them out. He clearly sees whether the nation and society are well or ill governed. Being both wise and sagacious, he is thus able to preserve himself. He labors tirelessly day and night, loyally serving the Zhou king.