反躬自省

fǎngōngzìxǐng

idiom

Meanings

1 to examine oneself; to engage in self-reflection
2 to turn inward and reflect on one's own conduct

Characters

to turn back; to reflect

Examples

遇到挫折，应该反躬自省。

Yùdào cuòzhé, yīnggāi fǎngōng zìxǐng.

When setbacks come, one should reflect on oneself.

作为领导，他经常反躬自省。

Zuòwéi lǐngdǎo, tā jīngcháng fǎngōng zìxǐng.

As a leader, he frequently engages in self-reflection.

Tips

history

From 《礼记·乐记》: '好恶无节于内，知诱于外，不能反躬，天理灭矣' (if one cannot turn inward and reflect, heavenly principle is lost). A core Confucian practice — 省 here is xǐng, 'to examine'.

mistakes

省 here is xǐng (3rd tone, to examine), NOT shěng (to save). Compare 反省 fǎnxǐng with the same meaning.

Stroke Order

反 fǎn

躬 gōng

自 zì

省 shěng