The Chinese character meaning "courtesy" is composed of instruments of sacrifice being put out to pay respects to heaven. Later, as Confucian beliefs took hold, courtesy became a central tenet of the laws governing the relations between people. The Confucians praised those who were thorough in the performing of courtesies as knowing the ways of the world.
從字形來看，禮本是拿祭器去祭天，後來以人為本位的儒家興盛後，禮就轉移為人與人間的對待法則；禮數周到，通曉人情世故是被儒家稱許的。