The Ways of A Chinese Gentleman. 礼仪廉耻

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If you watched Malaysian TV during this period, you may come across a man and a woman who kept repeating these four Chinese words 礼仪廉耻 lǐ yí lián chǐ and a phrase explaining each of these words. It is not an advertisement and I could only conclude that it is a message for these four words form part of the core of Chinese thinking of what a gentleman is. At least, that is how 孔子 Kǒngzǐ or Confucius saw it.

礼(lǐ) 规规矩矩的态度 well-behaved manner
guīgui-jūjū de tàidu

By itself 礼(lǐ) means courtesy. The additional phrase emphasized this meaning using more words and rhyme serving as a form of Chinese mnemonic. 规矩 guīju found within this group of words mean “rule and custom”. It also means “well-behaved” and 态度 tàidu manner or attitude. Thus, one can say the same thing in one word or seven but the longer phrase sure sounds better especially when spoken together with the other.

仪(yí) 正正当当的行为 proper behavior
zhèngzhèngdāngdāng de xíngwéi

仪(yí) by itself means appearance, bearing or etiquette. 正当 zhèngdàng means proper while 行为 xíngwéi means behaviour. The repetition of words emphasized the rhyme. The above is an excellent example of the economy, grace and power of the Chinese language for when you combined 礼(lǐ) with 仪(yí), you get 礼仪 lǐyí which means etiquette, rite or protocol which is a combination in meaning of these two words.

廉(lián) 清清白白的辨别 unbiased view
qīngqīngbáibái de biànbié

廉 lián means honest and upright. 清白 qīngbái means pure and 辨别 biànbié to differentiate. Thus, 廉(lián) is explained as being pure in making differentiation or having an unbiased view.

耻(chǐ) 确确实实的觉悟 true realization
quèquèshíshí de juéwù

耻(chǐ) is interesting for it actually means shame or humiliation while the explanation given is having true realization. For 确实 quèshí means true while 觉悟 juéwù means awareness. In this case, the character 耻(chǐ) is not to be taken in isolation but as a combination with 廉(lián) for 廉耻 liánchǐ means sense of honor/shame. Only if one has a sense of honor/shame, can one differentiate between right and wrong and possess a conscience.

This is an excellent example to showcase the beauty of the Chinese language. I liked it so much that I am going to put them together so you can read it and take delight in the sound and meaning.

礼(lǐ) 规规矩矩的态度

仪(yí) 正正当当的行为
廉(lián) 清清白白的辨别
耻(chǐ) 确确实实的觉悟

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