Meaning
仁义 combines two fundamental Confucian virtues: 仁 (benevolence, humaneness) and 义 (righteousness, justice). Together they represent the ethical foundation of proper human conduct in Confucian philosophy. The term describes both moral principles and the compassionate, just behavior expected of an honorable person.
Usage
This is a classical and literary term commonly used in historical, philosophical, or formal contexts. In modern speech, it often appears in discussions of traditional values, martial arts novels (武侠小说), or when praising someone's noble character. It's less common in everyday casual conversation.
Examples
- 01古代的侠客都讲究仁义二字。.Knights-errant in ancient times all valued benevolence and righteousness.
- 02他为人仁义，从不欺负弱小。, .He is benevolent and righteous as a person, never bullying the weak.
Characters
Common collocations
- 讲仁义to uphold benevolence and righteousness
- 仁义道德benevolence, righteousness, and morality
- 有仁义to have/show benevolence and righteousness
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters are core concepts from Confucian philosophy. 仁 originally depicted two people (二 + 人), suggesting human relationships and empathy. 义 combines 羊 (sheep, symbolizing goodness) and 我 (self), representing proper conduct. The pairing 仁义 dates back over two thousand years in classical texts.