諺語 · a single proverb
義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣
What does 義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣 (yì zhī suǒ zài suī qiān wàn rén wú wǎng yǐ) mean?
義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣 (yì zhī suǒ zài suī qiān wàn rén wú wǎng yǐ) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "where righteousness lies, though ten thousand stand against me, I go forward." In use it means: Where righteousness demands, go forward without hesitation, regardless of opposition. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Tiger.
Literally: "where righteousness lies, though ten thousand stand against me, I go forward."
The reading
The ten thousand standing in the way are real and their opposition is noted and the person with genuine conviction walks forward anyway. This is not recklessness or stubbornness but the arithmetic of values: when what is right and what is popular diverge, the person of conviction has already chosen. The weight of numbers does not change the weight of what is true.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Mencius 孟子·公孫丑上 (Gōng Sūn Chǒu I)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Tiger, Year of the Ox, and Year of the Rat.
Questions
Is 義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣 (yì zhī suǒ zài suī qiān wàn rén wú wǎng yǐ) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞), and it comes from Mencius 孟子·公孫丑上 (Gōng Sūn Chǒu I). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣?
In Mandarin it is yì zhī suǒ zài suī qiān wàn rén wú wǎng yǐ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 義之所在，雖千萬人吾往矣 aloud in Mandarin.