持之有故

chízhīyǒugù

one has a well-founded view or opinion; one's views can be supported by facts or evidence

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 持 chí
  1. to hold
  2. to grasp
  3. to support
  4. to maintain
  5. to persevere
  6. to manage
  7. to run (i.e. administer)
  8. to control
2 之 zhī
  1. (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的 de)
  2. him
  3. her
  4. it
=3 有 yǒu
  1. to have; there is
  2. (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意 yǒuyì intentional)
=3 有 yòu
  1. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 又 (yòu, “again”)
  2. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) alternative form of 又 (yòu, “and; with a remainder of (when dividing an integer by ten)”)
  3. alternative form of 又 (yòu, “again”)
  4. alternative form of 又 (yòu, “and; with a remainder of (when dividing an integer by ten)”)
4 故 gù
  1. happening
  2. instance
  3. reason
  4. cause
  5. intentional
  6. former
  7. old
  8. friend
  9. therefore
  10. hence
  11. (of people) to die, dead