义
Yi
Confucianism · conceptRighteousness, moral duty, appropriateness. The Confucian virtue of doing what is morally right in every situation, regardless of personal gain or loss. Yi is the internal compass that guides right action, distinguishing the noble person (junzi) from the petty person. Yi is the internal sense of moral rightness. Together with ren, it forms the core of Confucian ethics -- ren is the heart of compassion, yi is the spine of moral integrity.
君子喻于义，小人喻于利。
— Analects, Book 4, Chapter 16 (Confucius)
What Are the Key Facts About Yi?
- Tradition: Confucianism
- Chinese: 义
- Category: Concept
- Definition: Righteousness, moral duty, appropriateness.
What Concepts Are Related to Yi?
Ren 仁What Other Guides Cover Confucianism?
Frequently Asked Questions About Yi
What does yi mean in Confucianism?
Yi (義) is usually translated 'righteousness,' 'justice,' or 'appropriateness' — the disposition to do what is morally right regardless of personal gain.
How is yi different from ren?
Ren is humane concern; yi is the rightness that guides action. Mencius pairs them: ren is the heart's concern, yi is its correct direction.
What did Mencius say about yi?
Mencius taught that yi (righteousness) is part of human nature and that one should not sacrifice it for profit; he contrasts the 'worthy' who acts from yi with those who pursue gain.
Is yi the same as justice?
Partly. Yi overlaps with justice but is broader: it is the sense of what is fitting and right in a given situation, rooted in moral intuition rather than law.