为人谋而不忠乎

為人謀而不忠乎

wèirénmóuérbùzhōnghū

phrase

Meanings

1 in planning matters for others, have I failed to be loyal?
2 a daily question of self-examination from the Analects

Characters

for; on behalf of

to plan; to manage

loyal; faithful

(classical question particle)

Examples

他每天反省自己，先问为人谋而不忠乎。

Tā měi tiān fǎnxǐng zìjǐ, xiān wèn wèi rén móu ér bù zhōng hū.

He examines himself daily, first asking: 'have I been disloyal in handling matters for others?'

把为人谋而不忠乎作为职场信条，不为过。

Bǎ wèi rén móu ér bù zhōng hū zuòwéi zhíchǎng xìntiáo, bù wéi guò.

Taking 'have I been disloyal in others' affairs?' as a workplace creed is not excessive.

Tips

history

From 《论语·学而》 — 曾子's 三省吾身 (three daily self-examinations): 吾日三省吾身：为人谋而不忠乎？与朋友交而不信乎？传不习乎？ Confucius's disciple Zengzi's template for daily moral review.

usage

乎 is a classical interrogative final particle (like modern 吗/呢). The structure 而不...乎 = 'and failed to...?' Almost always quoted as part of the full three-question passage.

Stroke Order

为 wèi

人 rén

谋 móu

而 ér

不 bù

忠 zhōng

乎 hū