📖 Meaning
To do everything according to established old rules and conventions. It describes someone who strictly follows precedent and former regulations, unwilling or afraid to make any change. The phrase often carries a tone of conservatism or excessive caution.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase comes from the Greater Odes of the Book of Odes (《诗经·大雅·假乐》), a collection from the Western Zhou dynasty. The ode reads "不愆不忘，率由旧章" — "He makes no error and forgets nothing, but follows the old regulations," traditionally understood as praise for King Cheng of Zhou (周成王) for governing in accordance with the institutions handed down by his predecessors. It later came to describe handling affairs entirely by old precedent.
💡 Example Usage
他诸事率由旧章，不敢稍有更动。
He handled every matter according to the old rules, not daring to make the slightest change.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 率由旧章
- Pinyin: shuài yóu jiù zhāng
- Literal Translation: follow, from, old, regulations
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4