📖 Meaning
To examine one's own conscience in the quiet of the night. It describes the act of deep self-reflection when alone, honestly assessing whether one has acted rightly. The phrase conveys sincere introspection and a search for inner moral clarity.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase draws on imagery from Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi, who wrote of touching one's heart without shame or fear. Ming dynasty playwright Mao Wei also used the expression in his work 'Nao Men Shen,' writing that if one examines one's conscience in the still of night, there should be no lingering grudges. Over time the idiom became a common expression for nighttime self-examination and moral stock-taking.
💡 Example Usage
清夜扪心，我对当年那番话仍感到愧疚难安。
Searching my conscience in the still of night, I still feel deep remorse over what I said back then.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 清夜扪心
- Pinyin: qīng yè mén xīn
- Literal Translation: clear, night, touch, heart
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4