📖 Meaning
This idiom describes someone who is fair and upright in handling affairs, honest and incorruptible in conduct, and does not bend the rules for personal gain. It is most commonly used to praise officials or leaders who serve the public interest without seeking private benefit.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in Qing dynasty scholar Zhao Lian's work 'Xiaoting Zalu' (Notes from the Howling Pavilion), in the chapter on the histories of the Jin and Yuan dynasties. In the text, an official was first accused of various charges of corruption and cruelty, but subsequently defended with testimony describing him as fair, honest, incorruptible, cherishing of official titles, and respectful of scholars' integrity. The phrase thus encapsulates the traditional Confucian ideal of a virtuous public servant.
💡 Example Usage
他一辈子都要求自己公正廉洁地为百姓办事。
Throughout his life, he demanded of himself to serve the people with fairness, honesty, and incorruptibility.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 公正廉洁
- Pinyin: gōng zhèng lián jié
- Literal Translation: just, upright, honest, clean
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4