理直气壮

With justice on one's side, one is bold and assured.

《喻世明言》

"Lǐ zhí qì zhuàng" means that when one has sufficient reasons, one speaks with great momentum. "Lǐ zhí" means that one's reasons are justified and correct, while "qì zhuàng" means having strong momentum and bold confidence. This idiom emphasizes a state of fearlessness and acting or speaking with confidence and boldness because one is in the right. It is often used to describe people who, in scenarios such as arguments, defending their rights, or debates, show strong confidence and inner strength because they firmly believe they are correct. Its cultural background stems from the traditional Chinese emphasis on "reason," holding that with reason one can travel anywhere in the world, while without reason one cannot move a single step. Its emotional tone is generally positive, but it can sometimes carry a negative meaning, referring to relying on being in the right to take a tough and aggressive attitude. When using it, one must pay attention to the context: it is positive when defending justice, but may contain sarcasm when used for quibbling. Its source is Volume 10 of Feng Menglong's *Yushi Mingyan* from the Ming Dynasty: "When one is in the right, one is confident and bold; when one's words are reasonable, things are accomplished."

1. He confidently and forcefully refuted the other party's unreasonable accusations, winning everyone's support. (Describes being full of momentum and confident because one has sufficient reason.) 2. Clearly it was his own mistake, yet he confidently and forcefully shifted the blame, which made people very disgusted. (Here it carries a derogatory meaning, referring to a tough attitude based on believing oneself to be in the right.)