‘墨守’ (mò shǒu) is a literary verb meaning to rigidly adhere to rules, traditions, or established methods without flexibility or innovation. It originates from the historical figure Mozi (Master Mo), whose followers were known for strictly upholding his doctrines—though ironically, Mozi himself advocated practicality, and the term later acquired a negative connotation of blind conservatism. The character 墨 (mò) refers to Mozi and also evokes ink or writing, suggesting codified doctrine; 守 (shǒu) means ‘to guard’ or ‘to uphold,’ emphasizing unwavering maintenance.

This term is used almost exclusively in formal or critical contexts—such as essays, news commentary, or academic discussion—to describe inflexible thinking in education, management, policy-making, or social customs. It carries a clear disapproving tone, implying resistance to necessary change. While it appears as a two-character compound, it functions as an inseparable verb and is rarely used alone; it typically appears with complements like 成规 (established rules), 旧例 (old precedents), or 教条 (dogma).