諺語 · a single proverb
見義勇為
Simplified: 见义勇为
What does 見義勇為 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi) mean?
見義勇為 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "see righteousness, bravely act." In use it means: When you see what is right, act on it with courage. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Tiger.
Literally: "see righteousness, bravely act."
The reading
Righteousness seen and not acted upon is still a kind of blindness. The moment of recognition is also the moment of obligation, and the body that moves toward it without hesitating has already decided what kind of person it is. Courage is often just refusal to overthink.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Analects of Confucius 論語·為政 (Wèi Zhèng II)
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 見義勇為 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 見義勇為 (jiàn yì yǒng wéi) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Analects of Confucius 論語·為政 (Wèi Zhèng II). 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 見義勇為?
In Mandarin it is jiàn yì yǒng wéi. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 見義勇為 aloud in Mandarin.