严于律己

嚴於律己

yányúlǜjǐ

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

他严于律己，宽以待人，深受同事尊敬。

Tā yányúlǜjǐ, kuān yǐ dài rén, shēn shòu tóngshì zūnjìng.

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

一个领导者必须严于律己，才能服众。

Yī gè lǐngdǎozhě bìxū yányúlǜjǐ, cáinéng fúzhòng.

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

Tips

usage

Almost always paired with 宽以待人 (kuān yǐ dài rén, '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