10 Chinese Idioms About Honesty & Integrity

Keep integrity without compromise

Literal meaning: Keep right no flattery

Emerging from Han Dynasty political discourse, this phrase combines maintaining righteousness (守正) with refusing to flatter or compromise principles (不阿). The term gained prominence during a period of intense political intrigue, where court officials faced pressure to abandon principles for personal...

Return something perfect

Literal meaning: Return jade to Zhao complete

This idiom stems from the Warring States period when Lin Xiangru, a diplomat of Zhao state, was tasked with protecting a precious jade disk (璧) that King Qin demanded to see. When the king refused to return the complete (完) jade to Zhao (赵), Lin cleverly threatened to destroy it, forcing its return....

Keep promises faithfully

Literal meaning: One promise thousand gold

Emerging from the Spring and Autumn period, this idiom equates one (一) promise (诺) with a thousand in gold (千金). It gained prominence through the story of Ji Zha, who honored a posthumous promise despite great personal cost. The concept became central to merchant culture during the Tang Dynasty, whe...

Maintain perfect integrity despite temptation

Literal meaning: Sit in lap not disorderly

This idiom refers to maintaining propriety (不乱) even when a woman sits (坐) in one's lap (怀), originating from a story about Confucian scholar Liuxia Hui during the Spring and Autumn period. Historical texts recount how he once held a freezing woman in his arms to save her life, yet maintained perfec...

Create effortlessly from mastery

Literal meaning: Trustingly hand plucks

This fluent idiom describes casually (信手) picking up or plucking (拈来) something with ease, originating from Tang Dynasty descriptions of master calligraphers and poets. It first described how accomplished artists could produce works spontaneously without preparation or strain. The character 信 convey...

Maintain perfect dignified composure

Literal meaning: Neither humble nor proud

This balanced idiom advocates being neither (不) servile (卑) nor (不) arrogant (亢), originating from Confucian texts of the Warring States period. It first appeared in discussions of proper bearing for scholars serving in government, emphasizing dignified self-respect without overweening pride. The sp...

To be true to one's word

Literal meaning: Words with trustworthiness

This idiom comes from 'The Analects of Confucius' (论语), where the sage emphasized that a person's words (言) must be accompanied by trustworthiness (信). In Confucian ethics, keeping one's word was considered a fundamental virtue essential for social harmony. The phrase encapsulates the idea that prom...

Skeptical; uncertain

Literal meaning: Half believing half doubting

This idiom precisely captures the state of partial belief (半信) mixed with partial doubt (半疑), describing uncertainty where one can neither fully accept nor completely reject something. The balanced structure of 'half-half' reflects the equilibrium of competing inclinations. The phrase appears in Min...

Talk irresponsibly; make things up

Literal meaning: Trust mouth open river

This idiom describes opening (开) a river (河) from one's trusted mouth (信口) - letting words flow freely without verification or thought. The image of a mouth releasing a torrent of water captures uncontrolled speech. The phrase appeared in Yuan Dynasty drama criticizing careless speakers. It warns ag...

Be candid and fair

Literal meaning: Open sincerity, spread fairness

This idiom describes opening (开) sincerity (诚) and spreading (布) fairness (公). It originated from descriptions of Zhuge Liang's governance style - transparent and impartial. The phrase embodies ideal leadership that combines honesty with fairness. Modern usage describes candid, transparent communica...