名正言顺 míng zhèng yán shùn rightful and just

Explanation

名正言顺,指名义正当,道理也说得通。

Meaning rightful and just, it indicates that both the name/reason and the logic are sound.

Origin Story

孔子周游列国时,曾来到卫国。卫灵公是个昏君,不理朝政,沉迷酒色。孔子对卫灵公的所作所为十分不满,于是决定离开卫国。临走前,他对弟子们说:“名不正则言不顺,言不顺则事不利。做任何事情,都要名正言顺,才能成功。”后来,卫灵公去世,他的儿子卫出公继位,他认识到自己的错误,希望孔子能回来辅佐他治理国家。他派子路去请孔子,孔子答应了卫出公的邀请,因为他觉得卫出公的请求是名正言顺的,而且也看到了卫国改过自新的希望。孔子回卫国后,凭借自己的智慧和才能,帮助卫出公改革政治,使卫国变得更加繁荣昌盛。这个故事说明,做事要名正言顺,才能得到成功。

kǒng zǐ zhōu yóu liè guó shí, céng lái dào wèi guó. wèi líng gōng shì ge hūn jūn, bù lǐ cháo zhèng, chén mí jiǔ sè. kǒng zǐ duì wèi líng gōng de suǒ zuò suǒ wéi shí fēn bù mǎn, yú shì jué dìng lí kāi wèi guó. lín zǒu qián, tā duì dì zǐ men shuō: míng bù zhèng zé yán bù shùn, yán bù shùn zé shì bù lì. zuò rènhé shì qing, dōu yào míng zhèng yán shùn, cái néng chéng gōng.

During his travels, Confucius arrived at the State of Wei. Duke Ling of Wei was a bad ruler, neglecting his duties and indulging in alcohol and pleasures. Confucius disapproved greatly and decided to leave Wei. Before leaving, he told his disciples: “If the name is not correct, the words will not be in harmony, and if the words are not in harmony, affairs will not prosper. In everything you do, you must be in the right to be successful.” Later, Duke Ling of Wei died, and his son, Duke Chu, succeeded him. He realized his mistakes and hoped Confucius would return to assist in governing the state. He sent Zi Lu to invite Confucius, who accepted the invitation because he found Duke Chu’s request justifiable and saw hope for reform in Wei. Upon returning to Wei, Confucius, with his wisdom and ability, helped Duke Chu reform the politics, making Wei more prosperous. This story illustrates that doing things justifiably leads to success.

Usage

形容事情名义正当,理由充分。

xióngróng shìqíng míngyì zhèngdāng, lǐyóu chōngfèn

To describe something as legitimate and well-justified.

Examples

  • 他这次升职是名正言顺的。

    tā zhè cì shēng zhí shì míng zhèng yán shùn de

    His promotion was perfectly justified.

  • 他的行为名正言顺,无可非议。

    tā de xíng wéi míng zhèng yán shùn, wú kě fēi yì

    His actions were legitimate and beyond reproach