expression, godan verb (-su)
sacrifice oneself for the sake of benevolence
A set phrase of Confucian origin, meaning to give one's life to uphold the virtue of 仁 (benevolence/humaneness). Used in literary or moral contexts.
彼は身を殺して仁をなす覚悟で、人々を救った。
He saved people with the resolve to sacrifice himself for benevolence.
「身を殺
The phrase 'mi o koroshite jin o nasu' originates from the Analects.