filial piety

American  

[fil-ee-uhl pahy-i-tee] / ˈfɪl i əl ˈpaɪ ɪ ti /

noun

1. (in Confucianism) the important virtue and primary duty of respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and elderly family members.

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Usage

What is filial piety? Filial piety is the Confucian virtue of honoring the elders in your family. In English, we use an older, Latin-based expression to name this social principle of parental respect. Filial generally means “relating to a son or daughter” or “concerning a parent-child relationship.” Piety, here, is “dutiful respect.” Together, filial piety refers to a child’s service towards their parents as well as other older extended relatives. Although the idea of “respecting your elders” exists in many cultures, the phrase filial piety is especially used in the context of respect for the elderly in Chinese families.

Etymology

Origin of filial piety

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Filial piety the ethical obligation of children to their parents.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Filial piety also dictates that she return home to her parents after her tours of duty are over.

From New York Times • Sep. 3, 2020

Filial piety, according to Confucius, meant devoting oneself to one’s parents during their lifetime.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Confucius said: "Filial piety is the constant requirement of Heaven."

From Time Magazine Archive

Filial piety was piety toward one's own family head; loyalty was piety toward the family head of all civilized society.

From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony