彼亦一是非，此亦一是非 (Bǐ yì yī shì fēi, cǐ yì yī shì fēi)

Basic Info

Chinese Idiom: 彼亦一是非，此亦一是非 (Bǐ yì yī shì fēi, cǐ yì yī shì fēi)
Pinyin: bǐ yì yī shì fēi, cǐ yì yī shì fēi
Literal meaning: “That side also has its right and wrong; this side also has its right and wrong.”
(彼 = that / the other side; 亦 = also; 一 = one set of; 是非 = right and wrong / judgments of true and false; 此 = this / this side; 亦 = also; 一是非 = another set of right and wrong)

Figurative Definition

It means that each side in a dispute has its own standard of right and wrong – and so the two standards never meet. What is “right” from one perspective is “wrong” from the other.

It has two layers of meaning:

Zhuangzi’s original philosophical sense: “That” and “this” are relative and mutually dependent – there is no fixed “that” without a “this,” and no absolute right or wrong independent of perspective. Every position generates its own judgments.
The later, more critical sense: People use different standards of right and wrong depending on the situation or their own interests, so that objective standards get erased – everyone is “right” by their own measure, and nothing can be judged fairly.

In short: your right is my wrong – each side has its own standard, and no common ground remains.

Cultural & Historical Origin

This idiom comes from the Zhuangzi · Qi Wu Lun (《庄子·齐物论》 – “On the Equality of Things”), one of the most profound chapters in Chinese philosophy:

“是亦彼也，彼亦是也。彼亦一是非，此亦一是非……是亦一无穷，非亦一无穷也。”

“This is also that; that is also this. That has its own right and wrong; this has its own right and wrong… Right is one kind of infinity; wrong is another kind of infinity.”

— Zhuangzi, Chapter 2. Discussion of the Equality of Things (Qiwu Lun)

Zhuangzi was arguing that all distinctions – this/that, right/wrong, true/false – are products of human perspective, not fixed features of reality. Each viewpoint creates its own “right” and “wrong,” and the debate between them can never be finally settled, because each side judges by its own standard.

This is a radical philosophical relativism – but Zhuangzi’s purpose was not nihilism. It was to free the mind from dogmatic attachment to its own judgments, and to see all positions as part of one larger whole.

Later generations, however, used the phrase more critically: to describe people who shift their standards of right and wrong to suit themselves, thereby undermining any objective basis for judgment. In this reading, the idiom becomes a warning against relativism and double standards.

Key Lesson

Recognize perspective – but do not abandon judgment. The idiom teaches two things at once:

Humility: Your “right” may be someone else’s “wrong.” Before condemning, try to see from the other side.

Warning: If everyone’s standard is equally valid, justice becomes impossible. The wise person holds both truths: perspective is real, but it is not an excuse to erase all standards. Distinguish between understanding another’s viewpoint and accepting every viewpoint as equally right.

Cultural Note

In modern Chinese, “彼亦一是非，此亦一是非” is a literary, philosophical idiom. It appears in:

Philosophical and cultural discussion – explaining Zhuangzi’s relativism.
Critical commentary – accusing someone of double standards or moral relativism.
Literary and historical writing – describing irresolvable disputes or conflicting judgments.
Formal debate – noting that two sides are arguing from incompatible premises.

Its near-synonym is “仁者见仁，智者见智” (rén zhě jiàn rén, zhì zhě jiàn zhì – “the benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom”), meaning different people see different things in the same matter – but that idiom is more neutral and appreciative of diversity, while “彼亦一是非，此亦一是非” carries a stronger sense of conflicting standards and the erosion of objective judgment.

Similar English Expressions

One man’s meat is another man’s poison – What suits one harms another – perspective differs.
Everything is relative – A broad statement of relativism.
Different strokes for different folks – People judge differently (neutral, light).
Double standards – Applying different rules to different parties – captures the critical sense.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – Judgment depends on perspective (narrower).
To each his own – Everyone has their own standard (neutral).
Moral relativism – The philosophical position that right and wrong depend on context.
Two sides of the same coin – Both perspectives are part of one whole (closer to Zhuangzi’s intent).

The closest and most natural equivalents are “everything is relative,” “double standards,” and “one man’s meat is another man’s poison.”

In short, “彼亦一是非，此亦一是非” means that side has its right and wrong, and this side has its own – a profound Chinese idiom from Zhuangzi for the relativity of judgments and the clash of standards, and a timeless challenge: to see from many perspectives without losing the courage to judge.