來而不往非禮也 lái ér bù wǎng fēi lǐ yě

DEFINITIONS

  1. not to reciprocate is against etiquette (classical)
  2. to respond in kind

CHARACTERS

來 lái come, coming; return, returning
而 ér
HSK 3
and; and then; and yet; but
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
往 wǎng
HSK 2
go, depart; past, formerly
非 fēi
HSK 2
not, negative, non-; oppose
禮 lǐ social custom; manners; courtesy; rites
也 yě
HSK 2
also; classical final particle of strong affirmation or identity