正人君子 upright gentleman
Explanation
旧时指品行端正的人。现多作讽刺的用法，指假装正经的人。
Formerly referred to a person of upright character. Now mostly used ironically, referring to someone who pretends to be proper.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，朝堂之上风云变幻，奸臣当道。一位名叫李白的年轻官员，以其清廉正直的品德和过人的才华深得百姓爱戴。然而，他正直的性格却得罪了权倾朝野的奸臣崔珪。崔珪表面上正人君子，背地里却贪赃枉法，鱼肉百姓。他嫉妒李白的才能和名声，便想方设法陷害他。一次，崔珪在朝堂上故意刁难李白，对其提出的政策建议百般挑剔，企图以此来打击李白的威信。然而，李白凭借其丰富的知识和缜密的逻辑，一一化解了崔珪的刁难，反驳得崔珪哑口无言。崔珪恼羞成怒，暗中派人散布谣言，企图败坏李白的声誉。但是，李白始终保持清廉正直，不为谣言所动。最终，崔珪的阴谋诡计被揭穿，受到应有的惩罚，而李白则因其正人君子的品德和才华而得到更高的赏识和重用。
During the Tang Dynasty, the court was rife with political intrigue and corrupt officials. A young official named Li Bai, known for his integrity and exceptional talent, enjoyed great popularity among the people. However, his upright nature earned him the wrath of the powerful and corrupt minister Cui Gui. Cui Gui, outwardly a model of virtue, secretly engaged in corruption and oppression. Envying Li Bai's talent and reputation, he sought to undermine him. On one occasion, Cui Gui publicly challenged Li Bai on his policy proposals, nitpicking to discredit him. However, Li Bai's knowledge and sharp logic allowed him to deftly counter Cui Gui's arguments, leaving the latter speechless. Enraged and humiliated, Cui Gui secretly spread rumors to damage Li Bai's reputation. Yet Li Bai, unyielding in his integrity, remained unaffected by the slander. Eventually, Cui Gui's scheme was exposed and he received his due punishment, while Li Bai’s upright character and abilities brought him even greater recognition and power.
Usage
常用于讽刺那些假装正经、道貌岸然的人。
Often used to satirize those who pretend to be proper and morally upright.
Examples
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他表面上正人君子，背地里却干着见不得人的勾当。
ta biaomianshang zhengrenjunzi, beidili que ganzhe jiandubude ren de gou dang.
He appears to be a gentleman on the surface, but secretly he is doing shameful deeds.
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某些人自诩为正人君子，实际上却虚伪得很。
mouxie ren zixu wei zhengrenjunzi, shijishang que xuwei de hen.
Some people claim to be upright gentlemen, but in reality they are very hypocritical