place righteousness above family loyalty; punish one's own kin for the greater good
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesphrase
to sacrifice family ties for a righteous cause; to punish one's own relatives for their crimes in the interest of justice
formalUsed to describe a highly principled, yet emotionally difficult, act where one prioritizes justice and the public good over personal loyalty to family members. Often carries a heroic or solemn connotation.
Zuò作
wéi为
fǎ法
guān官
，
tā他
dà大
yì义
miè灭
qīn亲
，
qīn亲
zì自
qiān签
shǔ署
le了
duì对
qīn亲
shēng生
ér儿
zi子
de的
dài逮
bǔ捕
lìng令
。
As a judge, he placed righteousness above family loyalty and personally signed the arrest warrant for his own son.
Zhè这
bù部
lì历
shǐ史
jù剧
gē歌
sòng颂
le了
yī一
wèi位
dà大
yì义
miè灭
qīn亲
de的
jiāng将
jūn军
。
This historical drama praises a general who sacrificed family ties for the greater good.
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Zài在
fǎn反
fǔ腐
dòu斗
zhēng争
zhōng中
，
dà大
yì义
miè灭
qīn亲
de的
xíng行
wéi为
zhí值
dé得
zūn尊
jìng敬
。
In the fight against corruption, acts of placing righteousness above family loyalty are worthy of respect.