背信弃义 (Bèi xìn qì yì)

Basic Info

Chinese Idiom: 背信弃义 (Bèi xìn qì yì)
Pinyin: bèi xìn qì yì
Literal meaning: “To violate trust and abandon righteousness.”
(背 = to violate / betray / turn one’s back on; 信 = trust / faith / one’s word; 弃 = to abandon / discard; 义 = righteousness / moral obligation)

Figurative Definition

It describes someone who breaks their word and abandons moral principle – betraying the trust placed in them and acting without honor. It combines two failings:

背信 – breaking faith, violating a promise or agreement.
弃义 – abandoning righteousness, acting contrary to what is morally right.

A useful distinction from its near-synonym “言而无信” (yán ér wú xìn – “to say things but keep no word”):

背信弃义 implies both breaking trust and moral betrayal – it is a heavier, more condemnatory charge.
言而无信 focuses only on failing to keep one’s word – unreliable, but not necessarily treacherous.

In short: to betray a trust and abandon what is right – faithless and dishonorable.

Cultural & Historical Origin

This idiom is rooted in a Han Dynasty memorial by the writer Mei Cheng (枚乘), in his Memorial to the King of Wu (《上书谏吴王》):

“积德累行，不知其善，有时而用；弃义背理，不知其恶，有时而亡。”
(“Accumulating virtue and good conduct – even if one does not notice the goodness, it will eventually be of use. Abandoning righteousness and violating principle – even if one does not notice the evil, it will eventually lead to ruin.”)

The historical context is dramatic. Liu Bi, King of Wu (吴王刘濞), was secretly planning a rebellion against the Han central government. Mei Cheng, his advisor, wrote this memorial to warn him: abandoning righteousness and breaking faith with the throne would end in destruction. The king ignored the warning, launched the Rebellion of the Seven States, and was eventually defeated and killed.

The four-character idiom “背信弃义” crystallized from this concept – combining “背信” (breaking faith) with “弃义” (abandoning righteousness). The story gives the idiom its historical weight: betrayal of trust is not merely a personal failing – it is a path to ruin.

Key Lesson

Trust is the foundation of every relationship – and betrayal of it is never cost-free. The idiom teaches that breaking faith and abandoning principle may bring short-term advantage, but it leads to long-term destruction. The King of Wu’s fate is the proof: he betrayed the throne, and he lost everything. Whether in personal relationships, business, or politics, a reputation for faithlessness is a slow poison. The wise person keeps their word – not because it is convenient, but because honor is worth more than any temporary gain.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, 信 (trustworthiness / good faith) is one of the Five Constant Virtues (五常: 仁、义、礼、智、信) – the foundational moral principles of Confucian ethics. To 背信 is not merely a social faux pas; it is a moral failing with deep cultural weight.

The idiom is used in:

Diplomacy and politics – condemning states or leaders who break treaties and betray allies.
Business – describing partners or companies that violate contracts and betray trust.
Personal relationships – condemning friends or associates who turn against those who trusted them.
Historical and literary description – portraying traitors and oath-breakers.

Its near-synonyms are “忘恩负义” (wàng ēn fù yì – “forgetting kindness and betraying righteousness”) and “言而无信” (yán ér wú xìn – “not keeping one’s word”). Its opposites are “言而有信” (yán ér yǒu xìn – “true to one’s word”), “一诺千金” (yī nuò qiān jīn – “a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold”), and “信誓旦旦” (xìn shì dàn dàn – “to pledge solemnly and sincerely”).

Similar English Expressions

To break faith – To violate trust or a solemn promise – a direct formal equivalent.
Perfidy / Perfidious – Deliberate breach of trust or faith; treacherous.
Bad faith – Intentional dishonesty or betrayal of trust (legal and moral).
To betray a trust – To violate the confidence placed in one.
To go back on one’s word – To fail to honor a promise – closer to 言而无信.
Faithless – Disloyal; breaking faith.
To sell someone down the river – To betray someone who trusted you (informal).
Treacherous / Treachery – Betrayal of trust, especially in a grave or political context.

The closest and most natural equivalents are “to break faith,” “perfidy,” and “bad faith.”

In short, “背信弃义” means violating trust and abandoning righteousness – a strong, morally weighty Chinese idiom for faithless betrayal, rooted in a Han Dynasty warning to a rebellious king, and a timeless reminder that those who break faith may gain the world for a moment – but they lose it in the end.