📖 Meaning
Originally it praised a wise person's ability to preserve themselves through prudence and good judgment. In modern usage, it has taken on a critical tone, referring to a self-protective attitude of avoiding principled struggles or conflicts out of fear of being implicated. It describes someone who stays silent or detached to safeguard their own interests.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the "Book of Odes" (诗经), specifically the "Daya" (大雅) section in the poem "Zheng Min" (烝民) of the Zhou Dynasty. The original line reads "既明且哲，以保其身" — one who is both clear-sighted and wise can thereby protect themselves — praising the wisdom of a virtuous minister serving the king diligently. Over the centuries, the phrase shifted from a compliment into a critique, denoting those who shun confrontation to protect themselves.
💡 Example Usage
面对公司的不公决策，他选择明哲保身，没有站出来说话。
Faced with the company's unfair decision, he chose to protect himself and did not speak up.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 明哲保身
- Pinyin: míng zhé bǎo shēn
- Literal Translation: clear-sighted and wise, protect, oneself
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4