Chinese idiom · 成语
当仁不让
Meaning
To not yield when it’s right; to take responsibility boldly.
Character by character
Origin and story
Philosophical sayingIn the Analects (論語), Wei Ling Gong (衛靈公), Confucius says that when it comes to practicing ren, one should not defer even to a teacher. Ren concerns humane conduct and moral responsibility. The point is striking because a teacher would ordinarily receive a student’s respect and deference.
Here, however, politeness must not become a reason to leave the right action undone. The idiom later broadens to accepting a duty or suitable role without needless hesitation. It praises taking responsibility, not pushing others aside merely to gain status. The source is a concise teaching rather than a narrative about a particular volunteer.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
社区活动缺个主持人，她有经验，便当仁不让地接下了任务。
The community event needed a host, so she stepped up and took the job because she had experience.
For willingly taking on an appropriate responsibility.