百姓的生计或生活。百姓为了谋生，往往不辞辛劳。为政者对此应予体恤，提供必要的生存条件以及政策、制度保障，而不可侵扰、危害民生。这是治国理政、实现社会长治久安的基本前提。如果百姓生活困顿，衣食无着，就会有人铤而走险，这对执政者来说也不是好事情。“安民”的根本在于重视并解决好民生问题。
The term means life or livelihood of the people. Earning a living is often hard. Rulers should show empathy, provide necessary conditions for survival, and draw up suitable policies and systems. They should not bully or harm the people. Good state governance as well as lasting social peace and stability are dependent on this. If life is too harsh and people lack food and shelter, there will be desperation and unrest which will not benefit the rulers either. Providing a decent livelihood is the key to a peaceful and contented populace.
引例 Citations：
◎民生在勤，勤则不匮。（《左传·宣公十二年》）
百姓的生计在于勤劳，勤劳就不会匮乏。
People's livelihood comes from hard work, which in turn ensures no scarcity. (Zuo's Commentary on The Spring and Autumn Annals)
◎内治缺而后戎马生，民生促而后盗贼起。（计六奇《明季北略·卷十八·吴履中论二失》）
国内治政有缺失，天下就会发生战事；百姓生活窘迫，盗贼就会兴起。
Failings in domestic governance lead to war; widespread poverty abets the rise of thieves and bandits. (Ji Liuqi: Local Historical Accounts from the North of the Late Ming Dynasty)
◎上天厚民生，则赋敛宜缓。（黄宗羲《明儒学案·蕺山学案·忠端刘念台先生宗周》）
上天体恤百姓生活，所以执政者向百姓征收赋税应该宽缓。
Heaven commiserates with the lives of the people, so rulers should impose lighter taxes. (Huang Zongxi: Commentaries on Writings of Famous Scholars of the Ming Dynasty)
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供稿：北京外国语大学 外语教学与研究出版社
责任编辑：钱耐安
