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畏圣人之言

畏聖人之言
wèishèngrénzhīyán
phrase

Meanings

  1. 1 to hold in awe the words of the sages
  2. 2 (fig.) one of Confucius's 'three awes' — reverence for received moral wisdom
  3. 3 (lit.) fear-revere sage-person's words

Examples

君子畏圣人之言，不敢轻慢古训。
Jūnzǐ wèi shèngrén zhī yán, bù gǎn qīngmàn gǔxùn.
The gentleman reveres the words of the sages and dares not treat the ancient teachings lightly.
孔子讲君子有三畏：畏天命，畏大人，畏圣人之言。
Kǒngzǐ jiǎng jūnzǐ yǒu sān wèi: wèi tiānmìng, wèi dàrén, wèi shèngrén zhī yán.
Confucius says the gentleman has three reverences: reverence for the Mandate of Heaven, for great men, and for the words of the sages.

Tips

history
From 《论语·季氏》(Analects, Ji Shi, Confucius, c. 500 BCE): 君子有三畏：畏天命，畏大人，畏圣人之言。小人不知天命而不畏也，狎大人，侮圣人之言 (The gentleman has three reverences: reverence for the Mandate of Heaven, for great men, and for the words of the sages. The petty man does not know the Mandate and fears nothing, takes great men familiarly, and mocks the sages' words). One of the Analects's most-cited passages on moral fear / awe.
usage
Here 畏 = 'to hold in reverent awe,' not mere 'fear.' 之 is the classical possessive. Always quoted as part of the 三畏 triad; referenced in Chinese ethics, cultural-conservatism writing, and leadership commentary.

Stroke Order

畏 wèi
圣 shèng
人 rén
之 zhī
言 yán