Chinese idiom · 成语
恩威并施
Meaning
Grace and might together; balancing kindness with authority.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical usageThis expression belongs to a family of phrases combining beneficence with authority. Han Dian treats it as equivalent to en wei bing xing. The related wording appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms' account of Zhou Fang: after thirteen years in his commandery, he is characterized as rewarding good conduct, punishing wrongdoing, and exercising both kinds of influence.
The connection is an earlier formulation of the same governing idea, not evidence that the exact four characters en wei bing shi occur in that passage. Later usage applies the balance to leaders who offer support or rewards while also enforcing discipline. Its tone depends on whether that authority is viewed as fair or manipulative.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
教练恩威并施，既耐心指导队员，也严格执行训练纪律。
The coach combines support with firmness, patiently guiding the players while strictly enforcing training discipline.
Usually describes someone in authority balancing kindness and discipline.