开诚布公 — “To deal with openly and frankly”
开诚布公 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to deal with openly and frankly”. To be sincere and impartial; to show utmost candor and honesty. Literally, “Open sincerity, spread impartiality”.
开诚布公 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 开kāi
- 诚chéng
- 布bù
- 公gōng
开诚布公 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 开诚布公
Origin and Story of 开诚布公
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.
Idioms Related to 开诚布公
Synonyms of 开诚布公
Antonyms of 开诚布公
More idioms starting with 开
- kāi开yún云jiàn见tiān天emerge from obscurity into clarity
- kāi开yún云jiàn见rì日see light after darkness
- kāi开lì利chú除hài害promote benefits and eliminate harms
- kāi开huá华jiē结shí实bloom and bear fruit
- kāi开huā华jié结guǒ果blossom and bear fruit
- kāi开juàn卷yǒu有dé得Reading always brings rewards
- kāi开juàn卷yǒu有yì益Reading always brings benefits
- kāi开kǒu口jiàn见hóu喉lóng咙speak frankly and directly
- kāi开kǒu口jiàn见xīn心Speak one's true thoughts frankly
- kāi开kǒu口jiàn见dǎn胆speak frankly and openly
- kāi开tái台luó锣gǔ鼓the beginning of an event
- kāi开hé合zì自rú如operate freely and flexibly
Questions about 开诚布公
- What does 开诚布公 mean?
- 开诚布公 (kāi chéng bù gōng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to deal with openly and frankly”.
- How do you pronounce 开诚布公?
- 开诚布公 is pronounced kāi chéng bù gōng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 开诚布公 literally mean?
- Literally, 开诚布公 means “Open sincerity, spread impartiality”. It is used to mean “to deal with openly and frankly”.
- Where does 开诚布公 come from?
- 开诚布公 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 开诚布公?
- 开诚：敞开胸怀，显示诚意。指以诚心待人，坦白无私。