The People's Hearts Know No Constant Leader; They Yearn Only for Kind-hearted Leadership
百姓心中没有固定的君王，他们只怀念仁爱的君王。治国理政者要得到百姓的拥戴，就必须把百姓的实际利益放在第一位；各项政策、措施的制定与推行必须以代表、保障、实现百姓的利益为根本宗旨；权力的正当性及有效性不是不证自明的，而是必须通过执政者惠及百姓的努力而逐步树立的。它是“民心惟本”的另一表达式，彰显了中华“民本”精神。
In the collective psyche of the populace, there exists no unwavering allegiance to an immutable leader. Instead, it is an enduring yearning for kind-hearted leadership that prevails. The allegiance of the people is not an unyielding fortress — it morphs, gravitating towards those leaders who prioritize their well-being. To effectively win the people's support, a leader must place the tangible interests of the populace at the forefront of their concerns. Every policy formulated, and each measure adopted, must be unequivocally designed to represent, safeguard, and ultimately realize the interests of the people. For any leader, the legitimacy and efficacy of power are not self-evident virtues — they must be gradually established through an unwavering commitment to benefit the populace. More than a mere guideline, this principle is another iteration of the fundamental assertion that "the people's will is foundation of the state." It personifies the essence of the Chinese spirit — the "people-first" philosophy.
引例 Citation：
◎皇天无亲，惟德是辅；民心无常，惟惠之怀。（《尚书·蔡仲之命》）
上天对人不分亲疏，只会辅助德行高尚的人；百姓心中没有固定的君王，他们只怀念仁爱的君王。
Tian has no partial affection; it helps only the virtuous. The people's hearts know no constant leader; they yearn only for kind-hearted leadership. (The Book of History)
推荐：教育部 国家语委
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
