Definition

1. Noun:
   • The Five Constant Virtues: A fundamental concept in Confucian ethics, referring to the five core moral qualities that should be consistently upheld. These are nhân (benevolence), nghĩa (righteousness), lễ (propriety), trí (wisdom), and tín (fidelity/trustworthiness).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Đạo Nho đề cao ngũ thường. (Confucianism upholds the Five Constant Virtues.)
  • Ngũ thường là nền tảng đạo đức của xã hội phong kiến. (The Five Constant Virtues were the moral foundation of feudal society.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tu dưỡng ngũ thường": to cultivate/practice the Five Constant Virtues.
  • Các nho sĩ chú trọng tu dưỡng ngũ thường. (Scholars focused on cultivating the Five Constant Virtues.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngũ luân (n): The Five Cardinal Relationships (ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder-younger siblings, friend-friend). Often discussed alongside .
• Tam cương (n): The Three Bonds (ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife). Together with , these concepts form a core part of traditional Confucian social ethics.

Synonyms

• Ngũ đức (n): The Five Virtues. This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably with .

Related Terms and Concepts

• Nhân (n): Benevolence, humanity. The first and foremost virtue.
• Nghĩa (n): Righteousness, justice.
• Lễ (n): Propriety, ritual, respect.
• Trí (n): Wisdom, knowledge.
• Tín (n): Fidelity, trustworthiness, faithfulness.

1. The five constant virtues (in feudal ethics) (benevolence, righteousness, proprieties, wisdom and fidelity)