克己复礼

克己復禮
kèjǐ-fùlǐ
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to restrain oneself and return to the rites
  2. 2 to practice strict self-discipline

Examples

HSK 7-9
Kǒngzǐ rènwéi, kèjǐ-fùlǐ jiùshì rén.
Confucius held that restraining oneself and returning to the rites is what humaneness means.
HSK 7-9
Tā yíxiàng kèjǐ-fùlǐ, cóngbù zài biéren miànqián shītài.
He has always kept himself under strict control and never loses his composure in front of others.

Tips

history
From 《论语·颜渊》: when his disciple 颜渊 asked what humaneness (仁) is, Confucius answered that it is to restrain the self and return to the rites.
culture
In Confucius's day 礼 meant the rites and social order of the Zhou dynasty, which he hoped to restore. Today the phrase is used more loosely for strict self-discipline and good conduct.

Stroke Order

克 kè
己 jǐ
复 fù
礼 lǐ