明哲保身

míngzhé-bǎoshēn

idiom #44,379

Meanings

1 to play it safe and protect oneself
2 a wise man keeps out of trouble
3 to prioritize self-preservation over principle

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

在官场上，很多人选择明哲保身。

Zài guānchǎng shàng, hěnduō rén xuǎnzé míngzhébǎoshēn.

In officialdom, many choose the safe, self-preserving path.

HSK 6

面对不公，他选择明哲保身，没有站出来。

Miànduì bùgōng, tā xuǎnzé míngzhébǎoshēn, méiyǒu zhàn chūlái.

Faced with injustice, he played it safe and didn't speak up.

Tips

history

From 《诗经·大雅·烝民》 - 明且哲，以保其身 described the wise minister who stayed clear-headed to serve his lord. Modern Chinese has narrowed the sense toward cowardly self-preservation.

Stroke Order

明 míng

哲 zhé

保 bǎo

身 shēn