die for a noble cause; sacrifice one's life for virtue
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to sacrifice one's life to achieve benevolence; to die for a just or noble cause
formalOriginated from the Analects of Confucius (《论语·卫灵公》): 'The wise and the benevolent do not seek to live at the expense of benevolence, but are willing to sacrifice their lives to achieve it.' (志士仁人，无求生以害仁，有杀身以成仁。) Used to describe heroic sacrifice for moral principles.
Tā他
wèi为
le了
zhèng正
yì义
shì事
yè业
，
bù不
xī惜
shā杀
shēn身
chéng成
rén仁
。
He did not hesitate to sacrifice his life for the cause of justice.
Wén文
Tiān天
xiáng祥
shā杀
shēn身
chéng成
rén仁
，
chéng成
wéi为
hòu后
shì世
kǎi楷
mó模
。
Wen Tianxiang died a martyr's death and became a model for future generations.
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Zài在
wēi危
jí急
shí时
kè刻
，
tā他
xuǎn选
zé择
le了
shā杀
shēn身
chéng成
rén仁
，
bǎo保
hù护
le了
tóng同
bàn伴
。
At the critical moment, he chose to sacrifice himself to protect his companions.
Gǔ古
rén人
rèn认
wéi为
，
zhēn真
zhèng正
de的
jūn君
zǐ子
yīng应
dāng当
yǒu有
shā杀
shēn身
chéng成
rén仁
de的
yǒng勇
qì气
。
The ancients believed that a true gentleman should have the courage to sacrifice his life for virtue.