铁肩担道义

From a Ming-dynasty couplet written by the official Yang Jisheng (杨继盛) before his execution for impeaching the corrupt minister Yan Song: 铁肩担道义，辣手著文章 - 'Iron shoulders bear moral duty; a pungent hand wields the pen.' Li Dazhao (李大钊), co-founder of the Chinese Communist Party, famously rewrote it as 铁肩担道义，妙手著文章 and used it as his credo; this is the version most quoted today.

Closely associated with journalism, the legal profession, and public intellectuals. Frequently appears on plaques in newsrooms and law schools.