严于律己

嚴於律己

yányú-lǜjǐ

idiom #64,256

Meanings

1 to be strict with oneself
2 to hold oneself to high standards
3 to demand discipline of oneself

Characters

with regard to; on

to discipline; rule

Examples

HSK 7-9

他严于律己，宽以待人，深受同事尊敬。

Tā yányú-lǜjǐ, kuānyǐ-dàirén, shēnshòu tóngshì zūnjìng.

He is strict with himself and lenient with others, earning deep respect from his colleagues.

HSK 7-9

一个领导者必须严于律己，才能服众。

Yí gè lǐngdǎozhě bìxū yányú-lǜjǐ, cáinéng fúzhòng.

A leader must be strict with themselves to win others' confidence.

Tips

usage

Almost always paired with 宽以待人 ('lenient with others') as a two-part moral formula - the contrast is the point. Register is formal, often in speeches and self-appraisals.

Stroke Order

严 yán

于 yú

律 lǜ

己 jǐ