知足不辱
知足不辱 (zhī zú bù rǔ) literally means “know contentment avoid disgrace” and expresses “be content avoid shame”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: zhi zu bu ru, zhi zu bu ru,知足不辱 meaning, 知足不辱 in english
Be content avoid shame
Pronunciation: zhī zú bù rǔ Literal meaning: Know contentment avoid disgrace
Origin & Usage
The idiom 知足不辱 (zhī zú bù rǔ) originates from the Daoist classic, the Dao De Jing (道德经), attributed to Laozi (老子). In Chapter 44, it is stated: 'Knowing contentment avoids disgrace; knowing when to stop avoids danger.' This phrase emphasizes the virtue of contentment (知足, zhī zú) and suggests that by being satisfied with what one has, one can avoid humiliation (不辱, bù rǔ). The idiom is also illustrated in the Huainanzi (淮南子), where Gong Yixiu (公仪休), a minister of the state of Lu, refused gifts of fish despite his fondness for it, understanding that accepting them could lead to disgrace. In modern usage, this idiom encourages individuals to appreciate what they have and avoid the pitfalls of greed.
Examples
English: "He always finds joy in what he has, knowing that contentment brings peace."
Chinese: 他总是对自己拥有的感到满足，知道知足不辱。
Related Chinese Idioms
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一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 知足不辱 mean in English?
知足不辱 (zhī zú bù rǔ) literally translates to “Know contentment avoid disgrace” and is used to express “Be content avoid shame”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 知足不辱 used?
Situation: He always finds joy in what he has, knowing that contentment brings peace.
What is the pinyin for 知足不辱?
The pinyin pronunciation for 知足不辱 is “zhī zú bù rǔ”.