諺語 · a single proverb
寬以待人，嚴以律己
Simplified: 宽以待人，严以律己
What does 寬以待人，嚴以律己 (kuān yǐ dài rén yán yǐ lǜ jǐ) mean?
寬以待人，嚴以律己 (kuān yǐ dài rén yán yǐ lǜ jǐ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "lenient in dealing with people, strict in disciplining oneself." In use it means: Be generous with others, strict with oneself. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Earth note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Ox.
Literally: "lenient in dealing with people, strict in disciplining oneself."
The reading
The ruler used on yourself should be made of iron; the one held toward others should bend a little. To demand of yourself what you forgive in others is not hypocrisy reversed but the original form of fairness. It changes both parties, quietly.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Song Dynasty 宋·朱熹《論語集注》 (Lúnyǔ Jí Zhù, Commentary on the Analects)
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 Humility & Self-Mastery, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Ox, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Tiger.
Questions
Is 寬以待人，嚴以律己 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 寬以待人，嚴以律己 (kuān yǐ dài rén yán yǐ lǜ jǐ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Song Dynasty 宋·朱熹《論語集注》 (Lúnyǔ Jí Zhù, Commentary on the Analects). 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 寬以待人，嚴以律己?
In Mandarin it is kuān yǐ dài rén yán yǐ lǜ jǐ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 寬以待人，嚴以律己 aloud in Mandarin.