📖 Meaning
The speech is stern and forceful while the reasoning is upright and just. It describes someone who argues a point with both rigorous language and moral authority. Often used for principled admonition or righteous criticism.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a preface by the Song dynasty literatus Zhang Xiaoxiang in his work 'Mingshou Zhao Fuwen.' He praised a letter by Ouyang Xiu, noting that beyond the calligraphic brilliance, the words were stern and the principles upright—so powerful that even a thousand years later, readers would be moved to action. Zhang humbly stated he was unworthy of such an inscription.
💡 Example Usage
他在法庭上辞严义正地驳斥了对方的谬论。
He sternly and righteously refuted the opponent's fallacious arguments in court.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 辞严义正
- Pinyin: cí yán yì zhèng
- Literal Translation: words, stern, principle, upright
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4