self-preservation

剑桥词典

behaviour based on the characteristics or feelings that warn people or animals to protect themselves from difficulties or dangers
自保，自我保护
It was his instinct for self-preservation that led him to abandon his former friends and transfer his allegiance to the new rulers . 正是他自保的本能驱使他抛弃了以前的朋友，转而效忠于新的统治者。 返回 self-preservation