📖 Meaning
A person of virtue who upholds moral integrity and righteousness. It describes individuals who possess both benevolent character and a steadfast commitment to justice and ethical principles.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to Ming dynasty scholar Fang Xiaoru's work 'Yunbi Zan,' where he wrote that the benevolent and righteous people of antiquity viewed execution by knife and saw as casually as eating and drinking—illustrating their fearless devotion to moral principle even in the face of death. Fang Xiaoru himself famously embodied this spirit, choosing execution over recognising a usurping emperor. The idiom has since been used to praise those who sacrifice for justice.
💡 Example Usage
古往今来，无数仁人义士为正义事业献出了生命。
Throughout history, countless people of benevolence and righteousness have given their lives for the cause of justice.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 仁人义士
- Pinyin: rén rén yì shì
- Literal Translation: benevolent, person, righteous, scholar
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4