📖 Meaning
When you see someone of virtue and talent, you should strive to emulate them and reach their level. It encourages self-improvement by learning from those who are morally or professionally superior.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Analects of Confucius (《论语·里仁》), compiled during the Spring and Autumn period. Confucius taught that upon meeting virtuous people, one should aspire to equal them, and upon meeting those lacking virtue, one should reflect inwardly on one's own shortcomings. The phrase embodies the Confucian emphasis on continuous moral self-cultivation through observation of others. It has served as a guiding principle in Chinese ethical thought for over two millennia.
💡 Example Usage
看到同学的优秀成绩，他见贤思齐，决心更加努力学习。
Seeing his classmate's excellent grades, he was inspired to emulate them and resolved to study even harder.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 见贤思齐
- Pinyin: jiàn xián sī qí
- Literal Translation: see, virtuous, think, equal
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4