📖 Meaning
To know one's place and abide by the law, behaving honestly and dutifully without overstepping boundaries. It describes a person who is content with their station in life and refrains from doing anything improper or illegal. The idiom emphasizes self-restraint, propriety, and respect for social norms.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom appears in Chapter 17 of Li Jieren's modern novel 'The Devil's Dance' (天魔舞), written in the early 20th century. In the passage, a character advises that people should be persuaded to '安份守己' — to stay in their proper place and behave. The variant spelling '安分守己' (using 分 instead of 份) is more commonly seen in classical texts, though both forms convey the same meaning. The core idea — being content with one's lot and not stirring up trouble — has deep roots in Confucian social ethics advocating harmony through each person fulfilling their designated role.
💡 Example Usage
他一生安份守己，从不与人争执。
He lived his whole life content with his lot, never quarreling with anyone.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 安份守己
- Pinyin: ān fèn shǒu jǐ
- Literal Translation: peaceful, lot, guard, self
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4