座右铭

座右铭

Literally means:

a motto on the right side of one's seat

Actually means:

铭, motto, is an old essay style. This phrase refers to a motto or maxim that is used to encourage, caution or restrain oneself.

In ancient China, people engraved such inspiring words on an object, placed it on the right side of their seats, so it called 座右铭 (a motto on the right side of one's seat).

铭，一种文体裁告诫、约束自己的格言或话语。

古人把这，即铭文，古代的一种文章体裁。座右铭，用来勉励、种文字刻写在器物上，放在座位的右边，所以叫座右铭。