徙木为信 — “To establish credibility by keeping one's word”

徙木为信 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to establish credibility by keeping one's word”. To prove oneself trustworthy through action; to ensure promises are fulfilled. Literally, “moving a log to establish trust”.

Frequency

徙木为信 Pronunciation and Pinyin

徙木为信 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
徙	xǐ	11	migrate, move, banish
木	mù	4	tree, wood, wooden, dull, numb
为	wèi	4	to be or to do
信	xìn	9	trust, believe, letter, news

Example Sentence with 徙木为信

领导者只有做到徙木为信，才能赢得团队成员的尊敬和支持。

Only by keeping their promises can leaders win the respect and support of their team members.

Origin and Story of 徙木为信

During the Warring States period, Shang Yang initiated reforms in the State of Qin with the support of Duke Xiao. After the new laws were promulgated, Shang Yang wanted to ensure that people would believe these laws would be strictly enforced.

He had a wooden pole, over three zhang (about 10 meters) tall, erected at the south gate of the capital. He announced that whoever could move this pole to the north gate would be rewarded with fifty gold coins.

A brave and strong man successfully moved the pole and was indeed given the fifty gold coins. From then on, people believed that Shang Yang always kept his word and began to abide by the new laws.