📖 Meaning
This idiom refers to the dual pursuit of improving one's moral character and building one's career or accomplishments. It emphasizes that personal cultivation and professional success should go hand in hand. The phrase comes from classical Confucian philosophy advocating both inner virtue and outer achievement.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the I Ching (Book of Changes, 周易), specifically the Wenyan commentary (文言传) on the Qian hexagram. The original passage reads: 'The superior man advances in virtue and cultivates his achievement,' explaining that loyalty and trustworthiness advance virtue, while refining one's words with sincerity establishes one's endeavors. Dating to the Zhou dynasty, the text is traditionally associated with King Wen of Zhou and later Confucian commentary. It has served as a guiding principle for scholars and officials throughout Chinese history.
💡 Example Usage
他在学业上不断进取，正是进德脩业的体现。
His relentless pursuit of academic progress exemplifies the principle of advancing virtue and cultivating achievement.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 进德脩业
- Pinyin: jìn dé xiū yè
- Literal Translation: advance virtue, cultivate achievement
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4