tè

慝

Character · Noun

evil; vice; hidden sin

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 6 examples
1.

noun

evil; wickedness; vice; malice

literary

Refers to moral evil, malicious intent, or wrongful conduct. Often used in classical texts to describe hidden or overt badness.

Jiān奸
tè慝
zī滋
shēng生
 ，
guó国
jiāng将
bù不
guó国
 。

When treachery and evil breed unchecked, the nation will cease to be a nation.

Jūn君
zǐ子
yuǎn远
tè慝
 ，
xiǎo小
rén人
jìn近
zhī之
 。

The noble person keeps evil at a distance, while the petty person draws near to it.

Show 1 more example
Cǐ此
rén人
xīn心
huái怀
tè慝
niàn念
 ，
bù不
kě可
shēn深
jiāo交
 。

This person harbors evil thoughts in their heart; one should not become close with them.

2.

noun

hidden evil; concealed sin; secret wrongdoing

literary

Specifically refers to evil deeds or sins that are concealed from others, often used in the compound 隐慝.

Yǐn隐
tè慝
bù不
xuān宣
 ，
zhōng终
wéi为
dà大
huàn患
 。

Concealed sins that are not exposed will eventually become great calamities.

Gǔ古
zhě者
tiān天
zǐ子
xún巡
shòu狩
 ，
mìng命
dà大
shī师
chén陈
shī诗
yǐ以
guān观
mín民
fēng风
 ，
mìng命
shì市
nà纳
gǔ贾
yǐ以
guān观
mín民
zhī之
hào好
wù恶
 ，
mìng命
diǎn典
lǐ礼
zhèng正
zhū诸
hóu侯
zhī之
lǐ礼
yí仪
 ，
biàn辨
qí其
yǐn隐
tè慝
 。

In ancient times, when the Son of Heaven toured the regions, he ordered the Grand Master to present poems to observe the people's customs, ordered the market to report prices to observe the people's likes and dislikes, and ordered the ceremonial officials to correct the rites of the feudal lords and distinguish their hidden evils.

Show 1 more example
Jūn君
zǐ子
bù不
yǐn隐
qí其
guò过
 ，
yì亦
bù不
yǐn隐
qí其
tè慝
 。

The noble person does not conceal their faults, nor does he conceal his hidden sins.