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Yù Bàng Xiāng Zhēng, Yú Rén Dé Lì (鹬蚌相争，渔人得利)
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 鹬蚌相争，渔人得利Pinyin: yù bàng xiāng zhēng, yú rén dé lìLiteral Meaning: A sandpiper and a clam fight with each other, and the fisherman gains the benefit.Figurative Meaning: When two parties engage in a fierce conflict and both end up suffering losses, an outsider takes advantage and reaps the profits. Cultural Background…
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Yú Gōng Yí Shān (愚公移山)
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 愚公移山Pinyin: yú gōng yí shānLiteral Meaning: The Foolish Old Man removes mountains.Figurative Meaning: To overcome immense difficulties with unyielding perseverance, diligence and firm belief that human efforts can triumph over natural obstacles. Cultural Background This famous fable is a classic in traditional Chinese culture. It advocates persistence, dedication and the…
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Yuán Mù Qiú Yú (缘木求鱼)
Basic Information Chinese Idiom: 缘木求鱼Pinyin: yuán mù qiú yúLiteral Meaning: Climb a tree to catch fish.Figurative Meaning: Try to achieve a goal by using wrong methods or taking the wrong direction, which is doomed to fail. Cultural Background This idiom comes from Mencius, one of the core classics of Confucianism. It adopts a vivid…
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Han Feizi – Chapter 22.19
Han Feizi tells Li Chu warned Duke Mu: distant allies Jin and Chu can’t help Lu against nearby Qi. Distant water fails near fires.
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Han Feizi – Chapter 22.18
Han Feizi tells Hui Zi used analogy: Tian Si’s deception is innate, like blindness. The Lord of Zou spared him.