To deal with openly and frankly; to be sincere and impartial; to show utmost candor and honesty.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
The idiom "开诚布公" (kāi chéng bù gōng) idiom is a condensed form of "开诚心，布公道" (kāi chéng xīn, bù gōng dào), meaning "to open one's heart and uphold fairness." It is used to describe treating others with sincerity and being frank and selfless. This idiom originates from "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Biography of Zhuge Liang in the Book of Shu," which states: "When Zhuge Liang was Chancellor... he opened his heart and upheld fairness."
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu Han, enjoyed Emperor Liu Bei's deep trust. Before his death, Liu Bei entrusted his son Liu Shan to Zhuge Liang, asking him to assist Liu Shan in governing the realm. Liu Bei sincerely declared that if Zhuge Liang could assist his son, he should; but if Liu Shan proved unworthy and endangered the state, Zhuge Liang should take his place.
After Liu Bei's death, Zhuge Liang dedicated all his efforts to helping the mediocre successor, Liu Shan, govern the state. Some urged him to accept a higher title and become king, but he firmly refused, believing it was unjust to accept further honors and promotions while having already been entrusted with such a high office by the late emperor, especially when his campaigns against Cao Wei had yet to yield significant results.
Zhuge Liang treated people and handled affairs with fairness and impartiality, never bending to personal favors. Ma Su, a general he highly regarded, served as the vanguard in a campaign against Cao Wei. Due to violating orders and losing Jieting, Zhuge Liang, adhering strictly to the military pledge, reluctantly had him executed. Before his execution, Ma Su wrote to Zhuge Liang, stating that even in death, he would hold no resentment. Zhuge Liang himself took responsibility for the loss of Jieting and other setbacks, requesting the successor's approval to be demoted from Chancellor to Right General. He also specifically ordered his subordinates to criticize his shortcomings and mistakes, a rare act at the time.
In 234 AD, Zhuge Liang died of illness in the army. He lived a life of austerity, leaving no significant property to his descendants.