见贤思齐

Pronunciation: jiàn xián sī qí
Literal meaning: See worthy wish equal

Origin & Usage

Derived from Confucius's Analects, this phrase encourages people who see (见) the worthy (贤) to wish (思) to equal (齐) them. It embodied the Confucian ideal of self-improvement through positive example. During the Han Dynasty, it became a cornerstone of educational philosophy, promoting active emulation of moral exemplars. The idiom suggests that progress comes not from mere admiration but from conscious effort to match others' achievements. Contemporary usage emphasizes professional and personal development, encouraging people to transform inspiration into action. It promotes healthy competition and continuous improvement while maintaining humility.

Examples

English: "Reading about innovative leaders motivated her to enhance her skills"

Chinese: 阅读创新领袖的事迹激励她提升自己的技能

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