礼义廉耻

Traditional form:

禮義廉恥

Pinyin (reading):

lǐyìliánchǐ

Definitions:

• (idiom) propriety, justice, integrity and a sense of shame (i.e. the four social bonds, 四維／四维 (sìwéi))

Characters:

• 礼 - courtesy, manners, social customs
• 义 - right conduct, propriety; justice
• 廉 - upright, honorable, honest
• 耻 - shame, humiliation; ashamed

Traditional characters:

• 禮 - courtesy, manners, social customs
• 義 - right conduct, propriety; justice
• 廉 - upright, honorable, honest
• 恥 - shame, humiliation; ashamed