信条

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 信条, read しんじょう, and it combines 信, meaning belief, with 条, meaning article or standard.
• Basic usage: The basic sense of 信条 is a personal principle or creed that guides judgment and conduct.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A lasting principle rather than a passing opinion
  • Both examples use the form 信条. It is a relatively enduring standard that guides behavior across situations, not a thought held only for one occasion.
• Helping others and a work principle
  • 困っている人を見過ごさないことが彼の信条だ。 — His guiding principle is never to ignore someone in trouble.
  • 仕事で大切にしている信条を手帳の最初の頁に記した。 — I wrote the principle I value at work on the first page of my notebook.