Definition

Verb: - To adhere to the classics / to stick to the canonical rules: To strictly follow established principles, classical doctrines, or conventional codes of conduct. This term is literary and archaic, often used in philosophical or moral contexts. - To be rigidly principled: To inflexibly uphold traditional norms or standard procedures.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhà nho ấy luôn chấp kinh, không bao giờ chịu đổi mới tư tưởng. (That Confucian scholar always adheres to the classics, never willing to renew his thinking.)
  • Trong việc giáo dục con cái, ông ấy quá chấp kinh. (In educating his children, he is too rigidly principled.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is almost exclusively used in fixed, classical expressions, most notably in the proverb "chấp kinh tòng quyền" (or "chấp kinh tùng quyền").
  • "chấp kinh tòng quyền": Literally "adhere to the classics but follow flexibility." It means to know when to stick to principles and when to adapt to circumstances; to balance rule-following with pragmatic exception.

    • Người lãnh đạo giỏi phải biết lúc nào chấp kinh, lúc nào tòng quyền. (A good leader must know when to adhere to principles and when to adapt to necessity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chấp (v): To accept, to comply with (often in a stubborn or rigid manner, e.g., - to accept, - to obey/execute).
• Kinh (n): Canon, classic, scripture (e.g., - classics, - the Five Classics).

Synonyms

• Adhere to principles: To follow rules or beliefs strictly.
• Abide by the rules: To act in accordance with established regulations.
• Be doctrinaire: To be rigidly devoted to a theory or doctrine.

Related Idioms

• Chấp kinh tòng quyền: The primary idiom containing this word. It encapsulates a pragmatic philosophy of governance and personal conduct, advocating for situational wisdom over blind obedience.

verb

1. To keep to the usual code of conduct