禮義廉恥

From Guanzi:

何謂四維？一曰禮、二曰義、三曰廉、四曰恥。禮不踰節，義不自進，廉不蔽惡，恥不從枉。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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何谓四维？一曰礼、二曰义、三曰廉、四曰耻。礼不逾节，义不自进，廉不蔽恶，耻不从枉。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Guanzi, 5^th century BCE to 220 CE

Héwèi sìwéi? Yī yuē lǐ, èr yuē yì, sān yuē lián, sì yuē chǐ. Lǐ bù yú jié, yì bù zì jìn, lián bù bì è, chǐ bù cóng wǎng. [Pinyin]

What are these four cardinal values? The first is propriety, the second is righteousness, the third is integrity, the fourth is a sense of shame. Propriety consists in not overstepping the bounds of proper restraint. Righteousness consists in not pushing oneself forward [at the expense of others]. Integrity consists in not concealing one's faults. Having a sense of shame consists in not following those who go awry.

禮義廉恥

1. the four social bonds (propriety, justice, integrity and honor)

   • 《五代史·馮道傳》論曰：「禮義廉恥，國之四維，四維不張，國乃滅亡。」 [MSC, trad.]
     《五代史·冯道传》论曰：「礼义廉耻，国之四维，四维不张，国乃灭亡。」 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 顧炎武 (Gu Yanwu) (1613-1682), 《廉恥》

     “Wǔdài Shǐ Féng Dào Zhuàn” lùn yuē: “Lǐyìliánchǐ, guó zhī sìwéi, sìwéi bù zhāng, guó nǎi mièwáng.” [Pinyin]

     Historical Records of the Five Dynasties: Biography of Feng Dao states, "Propriety, justice, integrity and a sense of shame are the four cardinal principles of a state; if the four cardinal principles are not upheld, the country will perish."

• 四維／四维 (sìwéi)