《后汉书·杨震传》有这样一个记载,一次,昌邑官员王密带十斤黄金,深夜去拜访杨震,并说:“暮夜无人知。”杨震严词拒绝了这份厚礼,回答说:“天知、地知、你知、我知,何谓无人知?”王密惭愧而归。这个历史故事体现了“慎独”的真实含义——即使没有任何人监督,也能严格要求自己,自觉遵守道德准则,不做任何不道德的事。 The biography of the Later Han Yang Zhen had such a record. Once, Chang Min officials Wang Mi took ten pounds of gold and went to visit Yang Zhen late at night. He said: “No one stays up late.” Yang Zhen refused this gift with serious words. : “The heaven knows, the earth knows, you know, I know, what is unknown?” Wang Mi came back. This historical story embodies the true meaning of “cautiousness and independence”—even if no one supervises it, he can rigorously demand himself to consciously abide by the moral code and do nothing immoral.