📖 Meaning
To affirm what is right as right and reject what is wrong as wrong. It describes a person who distinguishes clearly between right and wrong, with unwavering moral clarity and integrity.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the chapter 'On Self-Cultivation' (修身) in the Xunzi, a foundational text of Confucian philosophy written by Xun Kuang (Xunzi) during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). The original passage states: 'To call right right and wrong wrong — this is called wisdom; to call right wrong and wrong right — this is called foolishness.' Xunzi emphasized that moral discernment is the cornerstone of self-cultivation and a well-ordered society.
💡 Example Usage
他为人正直，一向是是非非，从不含糊。
He is upright by nature, always clearly distinguishing right from wrong, never equivocating.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 是是非非
- Pinyin: shì shì fēi fēi
- Literal Translation: right, right, wrong, wrong
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4