📖 Meaning
Evil omens cannot overcome virtue; wickedness will not prevail over righteousness. It conveys the belief that moral integrity and righteous conduct ultimately triumph over malevolent forces.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Sima Qian's 'Records of the Grand Historian' (史记·殷本纪), the Annals of Yin. According to the text, during the reign of King Wuding of the Shang dynasty, a pheasant alighted upon a bronze tripod and was seen as an ill omen. The minister Zu Ji (祖己) consoled the king by saying '臣闻妖不胜德' (I have heard that evil omens cannot overcome virtue), urging him to cultivate virtue and govern with righteousness rather than fear the portent.
💡 Example Usage
历史一再证明妖不胜德，奸佞之徒终将被正道所制。
History has repeatedly proven that evil cannot overcome virtue, and the wicked will ultimately be checked by the righteous path.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 妖不胜德
- Pinyin: yāo bù shèng dé
- Literal Translation: evil omen, not, overcome, virtue
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4