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| 以德报怨 [2025/08/13 03:31] – created xiaoer | 以德报怨 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== yǐ dé bào yuàn: 以德报怨 - Repay Hatred with Virtue, Return Good for Evil ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 以德报怨, yi de bao yuan, repay hatred with virtue, return good for evil, Chinese proverb, Confucius, Laozi, repay grievance with kindness, Chinese idiom, chengyu, Chinese philosophy, turning the other cheek. | |
| * **Summary:** The Chinese idiom (chengyu) **以德报怨 (yǐ dé bào yuàn)** describes the noble and often challenging act of repaying a grievance, injustice, or hatred with virtue, kindness, and moral integrity. Rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoism, it represents a high moral ideal of rising above conflict and seeking harmony. This concept is famously contrasted with the Confucian alternative of repaying grievance with justice, making it a rich topic for understanding Chinese ethical thought. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yǐ dé bào yuàn | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Chengyu (成语) / Idiom; Verb Phrase | |
| * **HSK Level:** N/A (Considered an advanced, classical idiom) | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To respond to ill-will or a grievance with a virtuous and kind act. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine someone wrongs you. Instead of seeking revenge or holding a grudge, you actively do something good for them or treat them with exceptional kindness. This is **以德报怨**. It's not about being a doormat; it's a powerful statement of moral strength and magnanimity, a way to break the cycle of negativity by responding with unexpected positivity. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **以 (yǐ):** A preposition meaning "to use," "with," or "by means of." | |
| * **德 (dé):** Virtue, morality, kindness, good character. | |
| * **报 (bào):** To repay, to reciprocate, to respond. | |
| * **怨 (yuàn):** A grievance, resentment, hatred, complaint. | |
| When combined, the phrase literally translates to "use virtue to repay grievance," perfectly capturing its meaning. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| **以德报怨** is a cornerstone of a major philosophical debate in China, primarily between Taoism and Confucianism. | |
| * **Taoist Origins:** The concept originates from the **Tao Te Ching (道德经)**, a foundational text of Taoism attributed to **Laozi (老子)**. He proposed it as a way to act in accordance with the Tao (the natural way of the universe), transcending petty human conflicts and maintaining a state of harmonious balance. For Taoists, responding to negativity with positivity is a mark of profound wisdom. | |
| * **The Confucian Counterpoint:** **Confucius (孔子)**, however, famously questioned this ideal. In the **Analects (论语)**, when a student asked him about "repaying hatred with virtue," Confucius retorted: | |
| > "何以报德？以直报怨，以德报德。" | |
| > (Hé yǐ bào dé? Yǐ zhí bào yuàn, yǐ dé bào dé.) | |
| > "With what, then, would you repay virtue? Repay grievance with justice, and repay virtue with virtue." | |
| Confucius's view is more pragmatic. He argued that if you repay both evil and good with goodness, you devalue goodness itself and create an unfair system. His proposal, **以直报怨 (yǐ zhí bào yuàn)**—repaying grievance with straightforwardness or justice—has been profoundly influential and is often seen by many Chinese people as a more practical and fair approach to life. | |
| * **Comparison to "Turn the Other Cheek":** The Western concept "turn the other cheek" is similar but has a nuance of passive non-retaliation. **以德报怨** is more *active*. It's not just about not hitting back; it's about actively *repaying* the grievance with a positive, virtuous deed. It's a proactive strategy to disarm an enemy and demonstrate superior character. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **以德报怨** is a formal, literary idiom (chengyu). You won't hear it in everyday casual conversation, but it's prevalent in more formal or reflective contexts. | |
| * **Formal Speeches and Writing:** It is often used by politicians, academics, and writers when discussing ethics, international relations, conflict resolution, or history. | |
| * **Praising Character:** It's used to praise someone for being exceptionally magnanimous, forgiving, and morally upright, especially in the face of betrayal or injustice. | |
| * **Moral Debates:** The phrase is often invoked in discussions about whether it's wise or naive to be so forgiving. Echoing the old Confucian debate, some might use it admiringly, while others might use it to imply someone is being foolishly idealistic. | |
| Its connotation is almost always positive and admirable, but the context determines whether it's presented as a praiseworthy ideal or an impractical one. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 面对竞争对手的恶意攻击，我们公司决定** | |