Basic Information
Chinese idiom: 老马识途
Pinyin: lǎo mǎ shí tú
Literal Meaning: An old horse knows the way it has traveled before.
Figurative Meaning: Experienced people, just like old horses, can judge directions correctly and handle things skillfully thanks to rich life experience. It praises seniors or veterans for their wisdom gained from long‑term practice.
Extended Background & Usage Notes
This is a classic Chinese idiom derived from an ancient historical story. It is always used in a commendatory sense. People often use it to respect elders, mentors or seasoned professionals, emphasizing that their accumulated experience is precious and reliable when solving problems or making decisions.
Origin
From Han Feizi · Forest of Stories (Part One) (a famous ancient Chinese philosophical work written by Han Fei in the Warring States Period):
Guan Zhong and Xi Ming accompanied Duke Huan of Qi on a military campaign against the state of Guzhu. They set out in spring and returned in winter, but got lost on their way back.
Guan Zhong said: “We can make use of the wisdom of old horses.”
So they released an old horse and followed it, and finally found the right path.
Usage
It is a positive idiom, commonly used to describe experienced people who can guide others or solve problems with their long‑term experience.
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