赤子之心

Pronunciation: chì zǐ zhī xīn Literal meaning: Heart of a newborn

Origin & Usage

The idiom 赤子之心 (chì zǐ zhī xīn) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to describe a heart that is pure, innocent, and sincere, akin to that of a newborn child. The phrase originates from the teachings of Mencius (孟子), who emphasized the importance of maintaining one's original, untainted nature. In his work 《孟子·离娄下》, Mencius states that a truly great person is one who does not lose their 赤子之心. The characters 赤 (chì) mean 'red' or 'naked,' 子 (zǐ) means 'child,' and 之心 (zhī xīn) means 'heart.' Together, they paint a vivid image of a heart that is unblemished and genuine. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to praise individuals who possess a child-like purity and goodness, remaining true to their innate virtues despite the complexities of the world.

Examples

English: "Her innocence and kindness reflect the heart of a child, untouched by the world's harshness."

Chinese: 她的纯真和善良体现了赤子之心，未曾被世俗的残酷所污染。