Autumn Floods

  • 以管窥天 (Yǐ guǎn kuī tiān)

    This entry explains idiom “Yi guan kui tian” from Zhuangzi ‑ Autumn Floods. It describes tunnel‑vision: viewing reality through a narrow lens, mistaking partial fragments for the whole truth and warning against blinkered thinking.

  • 太仓一粟 (Tài cāng yī sù)

    This entry explains idiom “Tai cang yi su” originating from Zhuangzi ‑ Autumn Floods. It compares something to one grain in a huge granary, signifying extreme insignificance against the vast whole and inspiring humility.

  • 邯郸学步 (Hán dān xué bù)

    This entry explains idiom “Han dan xue bu” from Zhuangzi ‑ Autumn Floods. It warns against blind imitation: one fails to copy others’ strengths and loses one’s own original skills and identity in the process.

  • 夏虫不可语冰 (Xià chóng bù kě yǔ bīng)

    This entry explains idiom “Xia chong bu ke yu bing” from Zhuangzi ‑ Autumn Floods. It means one cannot discuss concepts beyond others’ limited life‑experience, carrying both philosophical and dismissive overtones.

  • 贻笑大方 (Yí xiào dà fāng)

    This entry explains idiom “Yi xiao da fang” from Zhuangzi ‑ Autumn Floods. It means exposing one’s ignorance and being ridiculed by experts, often used as modest self‑deprecation to acknowledge personal limitations.

  • 望洋兴叹 (Wàng yáng xīng tàn)

    This entry explains idiom “Wang yang xing tan” originating from Zhuangzi ‑ Autumn Floods. Originally for humbling self‑awareness, it now means feeling helpless or inadequate facing overwhelming, unattainable things.

  • Chapter 17: Autumn Floods (Qiu Shui)

    This Zhuangzi ‑ Qiushui (Autumn Floods) excerpt uses He Bo and Sea God’s dialogue to teach relativism of size and values. It includes well‑known parables like the well‑frog and the fish‑joy debate, urging humility and natural spontaneity.