Chinese idiom · 成语
大义灭亲
Meaning
To punish kin for justice; to prioritize duty over family.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountZuo Zhuan (左傳), Duke Yin’s fourth year, tells how Shi Que acts against both Zhouxu, who has killed the ruler of Wei, and his own son Shi Hou, Zhouxu’s associate. Shi Que suggests that the two seek help in Chen to secure recognition, then privately informs Chen of their responsibility for the murder.
After they are detained, Wei arranges Zhouxu’s execution, and Shi Que sends a household official to oversee his son’s execution in Chen. The text praises this as placing greater duty above kinship. The modern idiom can describe refusing to shield a relative from lawful accountability; the ancient punishment is not a recommendation for private violence.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
发现表弟伪造报销单后，她大义灭亲，把证据交给了审计人员。
After discovering that her cousin had falsified expense claims, she put duty above family ties and gave the evidence to the auditors.
A strong expression for refusing to protect a relative’s wrongdoing.