Chinese Idiom: 温良恭俭让 (Wen Liang Gong Jian Rang)
English Translation: Gentle, Good, Respectful, Frugal, and Yielding
pīn yīn: wēn liáng gōng jiǎn ràng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is gentle, cultured, respectful, frugal, and yielding. It often refers to a lack of confrontational spirit, highlighting virtues of kindness and humility.
Historical Source: The idiom is derived from The Analects of Confucius, specifically from the chapter Xue Er.
Idiom Story:
Zigong (子贡), a student of Confucius, was once asked by someone, “How is it that Confucius possesses such profound knowledge? He understands not only the circumstances of one state but also those of other countries. Is this knowledge acquired through his own studies, or has he been informed by others?”
Seizing the opportunity to praise his teacher, Zigong responded, “The Master has acquired his knowledge through being gentle, good, respectful, frugal, and yielding.” This means that Confucius’s extensive knowledge can be attributed to his virtuous character, characterized by a gentle and kind disposition, seriousness, frugality, and humility. It is this attitude that enabled him to attain such vast learning.
