"Si Er Hou Yi" (Only stopping when one dies) comes from The Analects, Book of Tai Bo, and was spoken by Zengzi: "A scholar must be broad-minded and resolute, for his burden is heavy and his journey is long. To take benevolence as one's own burden, is it not heavy? To stop only at death, is it not long?" This means that a person of aspiration must have lofty goals and a strong will, because the responsibility is great and the road is long. To take the realization of benevolence as one's own responsibility, is that not a heavy burden? To struggle until death before stopping, is that not a long journey? Later, "Si Er Hou Yi" came to describe devoting all one's strength to a cause, ideal, or responsibility and stopping only in death. It carries a strongly positive connotation and is often used to praise those who spare no effort and make selfless contributions, such as Zhuge Liang's famous saying, "Bend to the task and exert oneself to the utmost until death." It is mostly used in solemn and formal contexts to express admiration for someone who perseveres and struggles for a lifetime. Its deeper meaning emphasizes a sense of responsibility and mission that transcends individual life, and emotionally it inspires profound respect.
📝 Example
1. Many scientists have dedicated themselves to the nation's scientific and technological cause, working tirelessly until their dying day. (Describing someone who strives for a cause until death)
2. He resolved to devote himself to education and worked tirelessly until his dying day, earning the respect of countless people. (Describing someone who dedicates their entire life to an ideal)