本文旨在從典籍的考察出發，整理歸納出「直」的意念：直的原始意義就好比「矢」一般，直也常和「曲」、「枉」對立使用，荀子更直接以「是謂是非謂非」來界說直具有正直之德的人稱為「直人」或「直士」。文中再以「直躬證父」的故事作為討論的焦點，從不同典籍版本的不同詮釋中發現差異，並指出儒家倫理學可能的內在難題。

　　　　　t the Purpose of this paper is to induce the meanings of "righteousness" from the observations in classics. The original meaning of righteousness is "an arrow." It is often used as a contrast to "crooked" or "wrong." Hsn-Tzu said "what is right is right, and wrong is wrong" to define it. The person with the virtue of righteousness is called as righteous person or just person. Moreover, the story of "Mr. Righteousness and Politeness Accused His Father" is focused in discussion. Difference are found in various interpretations in different classics. The possible inner dilemma of ethics of Confucianism is also pointed out.