📖 Meaning
To examine one's own conscience and find no guilt. It describes a state of having acted honorably and having nothing to be ashamed of. Used to indicate that one's conscience is clear despite external criticism or suspicion.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in Qing dynasty writer Li Baojia's novel 'A Revealing Mirror of Officialdom' (《官场现形记》), Chapter 22. In the context, a character argues that even if rumors circulate, since the money was not taken by the master himself, he can face his conscience without guilt. The expression has since become a common way to affirm one's moral innocence.
💡 Example Usage
只要我们尽心尽力去做，结果如何都能问心无愧。
As long as we do our utmost, we can face our conscience with no regrets, regardless of the outcome.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 问心无愧
- Pinyin: wèn xīn wú kuì
- Literal Translation: ask, heart, no, shame
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4