📖 Meaning
To strictly abide by established laws and regulations without any flexibility. It describes a conservative attitude of adhering to existing rules and refusing to adapt or innovate. Often used critically to imply rigidity and resistance to change.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'History of Yuan' (元史), specifically the biography of Wanze (完泽), a chancellor during the Yuan dynasty. During the Yuanzhen era (1295–1297), the court strictly followed established laws and repeatedly issued edicts distributing wealth and grain to the people without sparing enormous sums. Wanze was praised as a virtuous prime minister for his adherence to proper governance. Over time, the phrase came to describe rigidly sticking to old rules, often with a critical connotation of inflexibility.
💡 Example Usage
企业若恪守成宪，不思变革，终将被市场淘汰。
If a company rigidly adheres to old rules and refuses to innovate, it will eventually be eliminated by the market.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 恪守成宪
- Pinyin: kè shǒu chéng xiàn
- Literal Translation: strictly, keep, established, laws
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4