not claim credit for one's achievements; remain humble after success
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to not claim credit for one's achievements; to accomplish something but remain humble and not dwell on it
literaryOriginally from Laozi (Daodejing, Chapter 2: '功成而弗居'). Describes a humble, unassuming attitude of not boasting about one's contributions after achieving success.
Zhè这
wèi位
kē科
xué学
jiā家
gōng功
chéng成
bù不
jū居
，
bǎ把
suǒ所
yǒu有
de的
róng荣
yù誉
dōu都
guī归
gōng功
yú于
tuán团
duì队
。
This scientist claimed no credit for his achievements, attributing all the honors to his team.
Zhēn真
zhèng正
de的
jūn君
zǐ子
yīng应
gāi该
shì是
gōng功
chéng成
bù不
jū居
，
dàn淡
bó泊
míng名
lì利
。
A true gentleman should not claim credit for his achievements and should remain indifferent to fame and fortune.
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Tā他
wéi为
rén人
qiān谦
xū虚
，
zuò做
shì事
zǒng总
shì是
gōng功
chéng成
bù不
jū居
。
He is a humble person who never claims credit for his accomplishments.
Lǎo老
zǐ子
tí提
chàng倡
'
shēng生
ér而
bù不
yǒu有
，
wéi为
ér而
bù不
shì恃
，
gōng功
chéng成
ér而
fú弗
jū居
'
de的
rén人
shēng生
jìng境
jiè界
。
Laozi advocated a life state of 'producing without possessing, acting without relying, and achieving without dwelling on it'.