# 心安理得

xīn ān lǐ dé

Feel justified and at ease

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The heart rests because reason is satisfied

**Register:** Reflective · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe acting without guilt because one believes it proper.

Can be sincere or ironic; feeling justified does not establish fairness.

## Understanding the expression

The heart settles when the person believes the reasoning is sound. The expression describes a clear conscience or a sense of entitlement supported by one's own judgment. It can praise accepting a fair reward, but it can also criticize someone who comfortably benefits from unfairness. The person's feeling and the actual ethics are separate questions. Context should make clear whether the speaker agrees with the justification or exposes a mistaken ease.

## Examples

劳动所得，她拿得心安理得。

### Traditional Chinese

勞動所得，她拿得心安理得。

láo dòng suǒ dé ， tā ná dé xīn ān lǐ dé 。

She accepts her earned pay with a clear conscience.

他明知占了便宜，还心安理得。

### Traditional Chinese

他明知佔了便宜，還心安理得。

tā míng zhī zhàn le pián yi ， hái xīn ān lǐ dé 。

He knowingly takes unfair advantage without guilt.

把责任尽好，休息也能心安理得。

### Traditional Chinese

把責任盡好，休息也能心安理得。

bǎ zé rèn jìn hǎo ， xiū xi yě néng xīn ān lǐ dé 。

Fulfilling your duties lets you rest without guilt.

她归还失物后，心安理得地离开。

### Traditional Chinese

她歸還失物後，心安理得地離開。

tā guī huán shī wù hòu ， xīn ān lǐ dé dì lí kāi 。

She left with a clear conscience after returning the lost item.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BF%83%E5%AE%89%E7%90%86%E5%BE%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=585&webMd=1&la=0)

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