📖 Meaning
Describes being diligent and cautious from morning to night, never allowing the slightest negligence or slackness. It conveys a relentless work ethic paired with constant vigilance and care.
📜 Origin Story
Originates from the Book of Changes (周易), specifically the Qian hexagram (乾卦): 'The superior man is diligent all day long, and at night remains cautious as if facing danger—then there will be no blame.' The phrase embodies the Confucian ideal of ceaseless self-improvement combined with unremitting vigilance. It later crystallized into the four-character idiom 朝乾夕惕, widely used to praise tireless and conscientious dedication to one's duties.
💡 Example Usage
他朝乾夕惕，勤于政事，终于使国家繁荣昌盛。
Diligent and cautious from morning to night, he devoted himself to governance and eventually brought the nation to prosperity.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 朝乾夕惕
- Pinyin: zhāo qián xī tì
- Literal Translation: morning diligent, evening cautious
- Category: Perseverance
- Characters: 4