明哲保身
明哲保身 (míng zhé bǎo shēn) literally means “wise person protects self” and expresses “protect oneself from danger wisely”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ming zhe bao shen, ming zhe bao shen,明哲保身 meaning, 明哲保身 in english
Protect oneself from danger wisely
Pronunciation: míng zhé bǎo shēn
Literal meaning: Wise person protects self
Origin & Usage
This pragmatic idiom suggests the wise (明哲) person protects (保) themselves (身), emerging during the turbulent period following the Han Dynasty's collapse. Historical records show it was first used to describe officials who withdrew from dangerous political situations to preserve their safety. The concept gained prominence during the Wei-Jin period of chaotic dynastic transitions, when scholarship on righteous retreat flourished. Unlike terms for simple cowardice, it carries nuanced implications about timing and discernment. Modern usage describes strategic self-preservation in volatile situations, though it often carries slight moral ambiguity - acknowledging the wisdom of self-protection while questioning potential abandonment of greater responsibilities.
Examples
English: "The executive quietly resigned before the company scandal became public"
Chinese: 在公司丑闻公开之前，这位高管悄悄辞职了
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 明哲保身 mean in English?
明哲保身 (míng zhé bǎo shēn) literally translates to “Wise person protects self” and is used to express “Protect oneself from danger wisely”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 明哲保身 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving protect oneself from danger wisely.
What is the pinyin for 明哲保身?
The pinyin pronunciation for 明哲保身 is “míng zhé bǎo shēn”.