以和为贵

Pronunciation: yǐ hé wéi guì Literal meaning: Value harmony as precious

Origin & Usage

This descends from the Analects, where Master You says that in the working of ritual, harmony (和) is what is precious (贵) — 礼之用，和为贵. The claim is more careful than it looks: harmony is the point of the forms, but he adds at once that harmony pursued without the forms will not stand. Modern usage advocates settling matters amicably, and usually drops the second half.

Examples

English: "Instead of arguing, they found a compromise that benefited everyone"

Chinese: 他们没有争吵，而是找到了一个对大家都有利的折中方案