"To sacrifice one's life for righteousness" means to give up one's life for a just cause or a noble ideal. This idiom originates from a famous passage in the *Mencius, Book of Gaozi I*: "Life is what I desire, and righteousness is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I will sacrifice my life and choose righteousness." Mencius regarded "righteousness" as a moral principle more precious than life itself, emphasizing that when a conflict arises between life and moral duty, one should resolutely choose moral duty. This idiom is often used to praise heroes who step forward in times of crisis and willingly lay down their lives for the great cause of the nation, social justice, or the interests of others. Its emotional tone is solemn and tragic-heroic, carrying a strong sense of moral commendation and the radiance of idealism. It embodies the values in Chinese culture of valuing righteousness over profit and of sacrificing one's life to uphold moral integrity. It is mostly used in formal and serious contexts, such as commemorating martyrs, evaluating historical figures, or expressing firm convictions.
📝 Example
1. During the years of revolutionary war, countless martyrs sacrificed their lives for righteousness, exchanging their blood for today's peace and happiness. (Referring to sacrificing one's life for a just cause.)
2. In the face of threats from the thugs, he sacrificed his life for righteousness, bravely protecting the safety of the people around him. (Referring to not hesitating to sacrifice oneself for justice and the safety of others.)