The Four Feminine Virtues are:[6][7][8][9]
- Feminine Conduct (婦德; Fùdé)
- Feminine Speech (婦言; Fùyán)
- Feminine Comportment (婦容; Fùróng)
- Feminine Works (婦功; Fùgōng)
Ban Zhao (49–120 CE), the first known female Chinese historian, elaborated on these in her treatise Lessons for Women (Chinese: 女誡; pinyin: Nǚjiè; Wade–Giles: Nuchieh):[10][11]
« Back to Glossary IndexSpeaking about these four, woman’s virtue requires neither unparalleled talents nor exceeding brilliance; woman’s speech requires neither rhetorical eloquence nor sharp words; woman’s appearance requires neither a beautiful nor a splendid look or form; woman’s work demands no unsurpassable skills.
Exhibit tranquility (you 幽 [/ qing 清]), unhurried composure (xian 閒/閑), chastity (zhen 貞), and quietude (jing 靜). Safeguard the integrity (jie 節) of regulations. Keep things in an orderly manner. Guard one’s action with a sense of shame. In movement and rest, it is always done in proper measure. This is what is meant by woman’s virtue. Choose words [carefully] (ze ci 擇辭) when speaking. Never utter slanderous words. Speak only when the time is right; then, others will not dislike one’s utterances. This is what is meant by woman’s speech. Wash (guan wan 盥浣) clothes that are dusty and soiled, and keep one’s clothing and accessories always fresh and clean. Bathe regularly, and keep one’s body free from filth and disgrace. This is what is meant by woman’s bearing. Concentrate on one’s weaving and spinning. Love no silly play nor laughter. Prepare wine and food neatly and orderly to offer to the guests. This is what is meant by woman’s work.
