praise good and condemn evil; uphold virtue and punish vice
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to commend the virtuous and condemn the wicked; to distinguish clearly between good and evil
formalA formal four-character idiom (chengyu) used to describe the moral principle of rewarding virtue and punishing vice, often in governance, leadership, or historical commentary.
Zuò作
wéi为
lǐng领
dǎo导
zhě者
，
yīng应
dāng当
zhāng彰
shàn善
dàn瘅
è恶
，
shù树
lì立
zhèng正
qì气
。
As a leader, one should commend the virtuous and condemn the wicked to establish a righteous atmosphere.
Shǐ史
shū书
jì记
zǎi载
，
zhè这
wèi位
huáng皇
dì帝
zài在
wèi位
qī期
jiān间
zhāng彰
shàn善
dàn瘅
è恶
，
zhèng政
zhì治
qīng清
míng明
。
Historical records indicate that during this emperor's reign, he distinguished clearly between good and evil, resulting in clean and enlightened governance.
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Wǒ我
men们
yào要
zài在
quán全
shè社
huì会
xíng形
chéng成
zhāng彰
shàn善
dàn瘅
è恶
de的
liáng良
hǎo好
fēng风
qì气
。
We must foster a healthy social atmosphere that praises goodness and condemns evil.