Bá Di và Thúc Tề
Definition
Proper Noun (Historical Figures):
- Bo Yi and Shu Qi: Two legendary Chinese noblemen from the late Shang/early Zhou dynasty, renowned as ultimate symbols of integrity, righteousness, and unwavering principle. They are famous for choosing to starve to death rather than compromise their loyalty and moral beliefs.
Proper Noun (Cultural Symbol):
- Paragons of Righteousness: Their names are used collectively as an idiom representing unyielding moral integrity, loyalty to one's principles, and the willingness to sacrifice everything, even life, for those principles.
Usage Examples
- Proper Noun:
- Tấm gương của Bá Di và Thúc Tề được người đời ca ngợi. (The example set by Bo Yi and Shu Qi has been praised for generations.)
- Lòng trung thành của ông ấy sánh ngang với Bá Di và Thúc Tề. (His loyalty is comparable to that of Bo Yi and Shu Qi.)
- Họ sống một cuộc đời thanh bần như Bá Di và Thúc Tề. (They live an austere life like Bo Yi and Shu Qi.)
Advanced Usage
- Used as a standard or benchmark for ethical behavior.
- Anh ta coi Bá Di và Thúc Tề là hình mẫu lý tưởng. (He considers Bo Yi and Shu Qi to be the ideal model.)
Variants and Related Words
- Di, Tề (n): An abbreviated, literary reference to the pair.
- Trung nghĩa như Bá Di, Thúc Tề (idiomatic phrase): To be as loyal and righteous as Bo Yi and Shu Qi.
Synonyms
- Paragons of virtue: Persons regarded as perfect examples of a particular quality.
- Symbols of integrity: Figures representing honesty and strong moral principles.
- Martyrs for principle: Those who suffer or die for adhering to their beliefs.
Related Idioms
Ăn rau vi như Bá Di, Thúc Tề: To eat wei vegetables like Bo Yi and Shu Qi. This means to live in austere poverty while maintaining one's moral stance.
- Dù nghèo khó, ông vẫn giữ khí tiết, thật là ăn rau vi như Bá Di, Thúc Tề. (Despite poverty, he maintained his integrity, truly like eating wei vegetables like Bo Yi and Shu Qi.)
Thà chết đói chứ không ăn thóc nhà Chu: Would rather starve than eat the grain of the Zhou. This directly references their story and means to refuse sustenance or benefit from a source one considers illegitimate or morally compromised.
- Thái độ của hắn là "thà chết đói chứ không ăn thóc nhà Chu". (His attitude is "would rather starve than eat the grain of the Zhou.")